تشيلسي were brought back down to earth after their Club World Cup triumph with a goalless draw against كريستال بالاس on Sunday.
The home side, who won the United States-based competition just last month, started on the front foot when Marc Cucurella’s looping header was cleared off the line by Ismaila Sarr.
Controversy reigned in the 13th minute when Eberechi Eze’s piledriver free-kick was ruled out as referee Darren إنجلترا ruled for an infringement, following a VAR review, against Marc Guehi.
After being beaten for pace for Eze’s effort, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez did well to spread himself to deny Jean-Philippe Mateta soon after, as Palace turned the screw. Although Chelsea struggled to seize control of the game, Trevoh Chalobah should have made it 1-0, only for the defender to sky his shot from six yards.
Substitute Estevao ويليان provided a much-needed spark for the west London outfit, but Chelsea still found it very difficult to break down a well-organised Palace side. In the game’s dying embers, Community Shield winners Palace looked the most likely to break the deadlock, with Eze unleashing a drive that stung the hands of Sanchez.
Liam Delap had half a chance to grab a late winner, but his effort was easily handled by ‘keeper Dean Henderson, and soon after, fellow substituteAndre Santos spurned a big chance, too.
In the end, both teams settled for a point, but Enzo Maresca’s team need to improve a great deal if they are to be considered as Premier League title challengers.
BALLGM rates Chelsea’s players from Stamford Bridge…
Chelsea were brought back down to earth after their Club World Cup triumph with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The home side, who won the United States-based competition just last month, started on the front foot when Marc Cucurella’s looping header was cleared off the line by Ismaila Sarr.
Controversy reigned in the 13th minute when Eberechi Eze’s piledriver free-kick was ruled out as referee Darren England ruled for an infringement, following a VAR review, against Marc Guehi.
After being beaten for pace for Eze’s effort, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez did well to spread himself to deny Jean-Philippe Mateta soon after, as Palace turned the screw. Although Chelsea struggled to seize control of the game, Trevoh Chalobah should have made it 1-0, only for the defender to sky his shot from six yards.
Substitute Estevao Willian provided a much-needed spark for the west London outfit, but Chelsea still found it very difficult to break down a well-organised Palace side. In the game’s dying embers, Community Shield winners Palace looked the most likely to break the deadlock, with Eze unleashing a drive that stung the hands of Sanchez.
Liam Delap had half a chance to grab a late winner, but his effort was easily handled by ‘keeper Dean Henderson, and soon after, fellow substitute Andre Santos spurned a big chance, too.
In the end, both teams settled for a point, but Enzo Maresca’s team need to improve a great deal if they are to be considered as Premier League title challengers.
بالجم rates Chelsea’s players from Stamford Bridge…
Robert Sanchez (6/10):
Was very fortunate that Eze’s goal was ruled out as the Spaniard was not at all convincing. Although he improved a bit, this is still a problem area for Chelsea that is not going away.
Reece James (5/10):
Picked up an early booking for a clumsy foul and struggled to deal with توتنهام-linked Eze and Palace’s inventive attack in the opening 45. The captain didn’t really lead by example.
Josh Acheampong (7/10):
The 19-year-old was a bit sloppy with his passing but made up for that with some crunching, full-blooded challenges.
Trevoh Chalobah (7/10):
The Blues academy player once again looked assured at the back, posing the question, ‘Why do Chelsea keep trying to sell him?’.
Marc Cucurella (6/10):
The Spain international was busy as ever, both in defence and bombing forward. However, he was not given the licence to roam that he craved.
Moises Caicedo (6/10):
The combative Ecuadorian battled as hard as ever but he was part of a midfield that had a lot of possession without ever really troubling Palace.
Enzo Fernandez (5/10):
The Argentine flitted in and out of the game but didn’t provide a great deal of creativity or substance in the centre of the park.
Cole Palmer (5/10):
Much like the second half of last season, the 23-year-old was unable to stamp his authority on the contest.
Pedro Neto (7/10):
The Portuguese was Chelsea’s biggest running threat in the first half and continued to ask questions as the game wore on.
Joao Pedro (5/10):
السابق برايتون man was fairly ineffective in the first half and things didn’t improve in the second. Nothing stuck for the Brazilian.
Jamie Gittens (5/10):
The summer signing didn’t get much of a tune out of Daniel Munoz and was hauled off before the hour mark. Both he and Pedro failed to fire on their Premier League debuts for Chelsea.
Estevao (7/10):
The teenager had an immediate impact when he came on, driving at Palace’s defence with his pace and trickery.
Liam Delap (6/10):
Replaced the ailing Pedro and offered a bit more than the former Watford man in his relatively short cameo.
Malo Gusto (5/10):
Had a rush of blood to the head when he blazed over a woeful strike from range.
Andre Santos (5/10):
Finally got his chance in a Chelsea shirt in the Premier League but didn’t do much when he was on.
Enzo Maresca (6/10):
Much like last season, the Italian had very little joy in unpicking the lock of a side that soaked up pressure and then hit them on the counter-attack. Chelsea had just two shots on target, and they came right at the start and end of the encounter. Much to ponder for the ex-Leicester City manager.
