Eze stunner denies Chelsea as Palace claims point
Eberechi Eze's stunning goal gave Crystal Palace its first point of the Premier League season as it held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
The England international's 20-yard strike cancelled out Nicolas Jackson’s first-half goal and ensured the spoils were shared in an entertaining London derby.
Chelsea controlled large periods of the first half and broke through in the 25th minute.
A swift counter saw Noni Madueke burst away from Will Hughes and feed Cole Palmer, who delivered a low ball across the face of goal for Jackson to tap into an empty net.
Dean Henderson, who produced a superb reflex save to deny Madueke earlier on, then kept out Palmer's free-kick just after the restart.
His intervention proved crucial as Palace equalised in the 53rd minute as the ball broke kindly for Eze, who curled beyond the helpless dive of Robert Sanchez.
Both sides had chances to score the game's third goal later on with Jackson and Daichi Kamada denied but, in the end, had to settle for a point apiece.
As has become customary in recent times, Palmer was heavily involved when Chelsea broke the deadlock as he put the ball on a plate for Jackson.
It was the England international's 15th Premier League assist since the start of last season, the most by any player in Europe's big five leagues during that time.
However, his efforts would prove academic with Eze securing a point in superb fashion.
It was the Palace midfielder's fifth Premier League goal from outside the box in 2024, with only Manchester City's Phil Foden matching that tally.
Enzo Maresca said he believes his Chelsea side is on the right track despite the result.
"We completely deserved to win the game," Marseca said. "We had many, many chances.
"The most important thing was the performance, and the performance was there. We conceded just two shots today.
"We didn't take the three points but playing the way we did today, I think we will win games.
"I feel a bit of shame for the result, but not the performance. The direction is the correct one.
"With the players arriving now, we can even better."
Palace was perhaps fortunate not to go down to 10 men in the second half, with Hughes not receiving what would have been a second booking for a foul on Palmer just before Eze equalised.
Asked if he believed it should have been a red card, Maresca admitted it would have changed the picture of the game.
"This kind of thing for sure changes the game," he added.
"It was a clear second yellow card, but the referee thinks in different ways. In that moment, we were also 1-0 up and the game completely would change 11 v 10."
