Chelsea and Crystal Palace played out a goalless draw in their Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge on August 17, 2025.
The match was marked by a strong defensive display from both teams, with Chelsea’s new signing Estevao coming closest to scoring but slicing his shot wide from the middle of the box.
Palace thought they had taken the lead when Eberech Eze scored a stunning free-kick, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review showed Marc Guehi obstructing the Chelsea wall.
Chelsea’s lack of preparation time since their Club World Cup win over Paris Saint-Germain was evident, with Enzo Maresca bemoaning the team’s limited pre-season games.
Crystal Palace’s defense held strong, with Guehi and Eze starting despite speculation about potential transfers to Liverpool and Tottenham, respectively.
The Palace boss Glasner praised Guehi and Eze, saying they showed great commitment and skill.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged the team’s struggles, citing limited preparation time and expecting a tough game.
Meanwhile, Forest dominated Brentford 3-1, with Chris Wood scoring twice and Dan Ndyoe netting on his debut.
Arsenal began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Manchester United, thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s decisive goal.
