Report & Highlights: Palace earn point in Chelsea stalemate

SUMMARY

• Oliver Glasner makes one change from the side that started at Wembley seven days ago, Will Hughes replacing Daichi Kamada.
• 0: Chelsea kick-off with Palace wearing our brand new Eagle Gold kit.
• 3: Sarr heads off the line following Chelsea corner
• 13: Eze fires home a free-kick from just outside the penalty area
• 14 – DISALLOWED GOAL: VAR rules there was infringement, disallowing the goal
• 19: Mateta forces a save from Sanchez after combining with Wharton
• 32: Chalobah fires over from close range for Chelsea
• 35: Sarr makes another vital headed clearance for the Eagles
• HT – Chelsea 0-0 Palace
• 61: Estevao fires over after working an angle inside the box
• 64: Vital last-ditch block from Lacroix denies Palmer
• 82: Eze’s effort from distant is kept out by Sanchez
• 89: Henderson makes vital save to deny substitute Delap
• FT: Chelsea 0-0 Palace

Palace had the better of the first-half and thought they had the lead through an Ebere Eze free-kick, only for VAR to intervene.

Both sides were wasteful in the west London sunshine after the break, but the Eagles can take comfort from a well-earned clean sheet, and maintaining an unbeaten sequence in the league that now stretches to seven games.

Before kick-off both sides paid a poignant tribute to Diego Jota and his brother Andre Silva with a minute’s silence. Oliver Glasner brought Will Hughes back into the midfield, with Daichi Kamada absent, but otherwise it was the same side that started the Community Shield triumph.

The hosts had the first real opportunity when a flick-on at the near post from Marc Cucurella required heading off the line –  Ismaïla Sarr in the right place to perform the honours.

Palace first threatened in the ninth minute, a deep free-kick causing issues to allow Chris Richards a header a goal, which Robert Sanchez duly kept out.

Palace look to have led in the 13th minute, Eze winning a free-kick right on the edge of the box which he subsequently smashed into the roof of the net.

However, VAR intervened, ruling that Marc Guéhi had blocked Moises Caicedo from deflecting the ball behind.

Despite the early blow, Palace continued to impose themselves on the game. Some lovely work from Adam Wharton set-up Jean-Philippe Mateta for his first chance of the afternoon, the Frenchman forcing a smart save from Sanchez.

Eze again used a set-piece to test Sanchez from distance, before Daniel Muñoz picked up the games first booking after a clash with Cucurella.

Chelsea chances were few and far between, although former Palace man Trevoh Chalobah should have scored when the ball broke to him from only a few yards out following a deflected shot.

The rest of the half saw a number of promising Palace attacks that failed to amount to a clear cut chance, with the teams heading in level at the break.

Chelsea started sharply after the resumption, Henderson forced into a quick reaction to keep out Cole Palmer’s dangerous cross.

Palmer then forced a brave block from Chris Richards with a powerful free-kick from just outside the box.

New signing Estevao also seemed to increase the Blues’ attacking intent with his introduction from the bench, but Palace’s backline repelled their efforts.

The Brazilian forward did have a great chance to break the deadlock not long after the hour, but blazed his shot wide when well-placed.

Yet Palace continued to carry a threat on the counter, with Sarr and Eze both coming close to unlocking the door, only to fall short on the final decision.

One particular Muñoz charge was only halted by a cynical foul from Estevao, before Mateta tested Sanchez from distance, only for the opposition goalkeeper to read his effort smartly.

The Chelsea stopper also was forced to tip Eze’s powerful shot over the bar, as the Eagles briefly sensed they could snatch a winner.

But the closing minutes instead saw defences on top, with both teams mainly restricted to longe-range efforts, with the exception a chance for Chelsea’s Liam Delap.

Henderson came to Palace’s rescue, holding firm to preserve his clean sheet. Andrey Santos also had a decent opening in injury time, but failed to hit the target.

No goals then, but a valuable point on the road to start our Premier League season with.

Palace return to action on Thursday night for our UEFA Conference League debut against Fredrikstad at Selhurst Park.

Palace: Henderson (GK), Muñoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi, Mitchell, Hughes (Lerma, 69), Wharton, Sarr, Eze (Devenny, 82), Mateta.

Subs not used: Benítez (GK), Clyne, Sosa, Cardines, Rak-Sakyi, Esse, Édouard.

Chelsea: Sanchez (GK) James (Gusto, 79), Chalobah, Acheampong, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo (Santos, 79) Neto, Palmer, Gittens (Estevao, 54) Joao Pedro (Delap, 73).

Subs: Jorgensen, Fofana, Hato, Essugo, George.

AS IT HAPPENED