Chelsea fans had high hopes for their first competitive match since the Club World Cup in the United States, but Stamford Bridge saw more tension than celebration on opening day.
Gone were the fanfare and celebrity appearances; there was just the team, the crowd, and a reliance on the finer points of football laws to secure a positive start.
A Controversial VAR Moment Saves Chelsea
The game’s defining moment came early when Eberechi Eze fired a free-kick past Robert Sanchez, only for it to be disallowed thanks to Law 13, which noted Marc Guehi’s positioning near Chelsea’s wall.
Without that rule, Enzo Maresca’s side might have left Stamford Bridge with a defeat.
The early VAR intervention reminded everyone that sometimes, the law can be as decisive as the players on the pitch.
Struggles Against Crystal Palace’s Defense
Chelsea’s attack struggled to break down Crystal Palace’s disciplined block.
Cole Palmer, who had shone in Chelsea’s Club World Cup demolition of PSG, was largely subdued, while the team looked sluggish compared to their opponents, who had enjoyed a longer pre-season.
Maresca admitted the limited preparation played a part.
“We could have counter-attacked better, we could have defended better, but it is only the first game of the season,” Maresca said. “Slowly, slowly, we’re going to be better.
They played about eight games, we played just two. We tried our best. We didn’t lose a clean sheet.”
Defensive Headaches with Colwill Injured
Chelsea’s coach has been vocal about the importance of Levi Colwill, not only for his defensive work but also for his ability to initiate attacks from the back.
Colwill’s ACL injury leaves a gap Maresca desperately wants to fill, but the club’s hierarchy insists on using internal solutions rather than spending more on central defenders.
Tosin Adarabioyo’s absence due to a training knock compounded the issue, forcing Maresca to turn to 19-year-old Josh Acheampong for his Premier League debut.
Josh Acheampong Steps Into the Spotlight
Acheampong started at the heart of Chelsea’s defense, becoming the second-youngest player to feature in a Premier League opener for the club since Glen Johnson in 2003-04.
While he held his own in general, he was caught out in possession, leading to Palace’s disallowed free-kick.
Despite the hiccup, Maresca appeared resigned to finding solutions within his squad rather than relying on new signings.
Limited Threat in Attack
Chelsea created opportunities, particularly in the final stages of the game, but failed to convert.
Andrey Santos missed a glaring chance in stoppage time, visibly frustrating his teammates, while Liam Delap’s effort for Palace’s goalkeeper went begging.
New signings Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, and Estevao Willian also failed to make a mark, leaving fans wondering if the team could truly play like world champions so soon after their international exploits.
Looking Ahead to West Ham
Chelsea’s next test comes at West Ham in the London Stadium, and Maresca hopes the additional days of training will iron out the early-season rust.
Fans may have cheered “champions of the world” within the first ten seconds of kickoff, but the team will need to deliver on the pitch to match that lofty declaration.
