USA centre-back Chris Richards says “everybody in the stadium” thought Eberechi Eze had scored for Crystal Palace at Chelsea before the playmaker’s early free-kick was ruled out in their 2025/26 Premier League opener.
England international Eze’s thunderous effort was disallowed following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review in the 0-0 draw, with referee Darren England consulting his pitchside monitor to make the decision because Palace captain Marc Guehi was adjudged to have been less than a metre from the defensive wall when the free-kick was taken
“Somehow VAR saw something else,” Richards told Sky Sports. “You live and die by VAR and today we died by it.
“Regardless, it was a good free-kick and, hopefully, we get a few more of those.”
Ebere Eze, WOW! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/S764jCWS0E
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 17, 2025
Huge cheers at Stamford Bridge as the goal is overturned by VAR for a foul on Moises Caicedo from Marc Guehi 🎥❌ pic.twitter.com/6AnospFRpG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 17, 2025
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: ‘Good way to start’
Club World Cup winners Chelsea had much of the momentum and more than 71% of momentum but Palace had four of the seven attempts on target between the teams.
“Chelsea have a very dangerous attack, so we knew that if we could alleviate them scoring goals, we’d have a good chance,” reflected Richards.
“It’s a good way to start the season and we can move forward. One thing we talked about was embracing the toughness that Chelsea were going to bring.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be perfect but, as long as we could keep a clean sheet, that was number one for us.”
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Chelsea team vs Crystal Palace
Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro started for Chelsea, who were without Tosin Adarabioyo after the defender suffered a minor issue in training.
Brazil newcomer Estevao, 18, came off the bench after scoring against Chelsea at the Club World Cup and impressing during pre-season.
“THAT was the chance!”
Andrey Santos misses a golden opportunity to win it for Chelsea in stoppage-time 🕰️ pic.twitter.com/NG50HSdlSi
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 17, 2025
Key defender Levi Colwill is expected to miss the majority of the campaign with a serious knee injury and long-term absentee Wesley Fofana retured on the bench.
Defender Benoit Badiashile and midfielder Romeo Lavia are stepping up their recoveries from injuries.
Chelsea starting XI: Sanchez, James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Gittens, Joao Pedro
Chelsea substitutes: Jorgensen, Fofana, Gusto, Hato, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Delap, Estevao, George
Crystal Palace team vs Chelsea
Eze and Guehi started despite intense speculation around their futures with the Eagles.
England international Guehi has attracted interest from Liverpool.
Crystal Palace starting XI: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Wharton, Hughes, Sarr, Eze, Mateta
Crystal Palace substitutes: Benitez, Clyne, Cardines, Sosa, Lerma, Devenny, Esse, Rak-Sakyi, Edouard
Chelsea, Crystal Palace fixtures
Chelsea are next in action away to West Ham on Friday, August 22 (20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT).
The Hammers lost their opener 3-0 at promoted Sunderland on Saturday.
Palace host Norwegian club Fredrikstad in the first leg of the Conference League play-offs at the same time the previous day.
