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The Guardian
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Eze has possible farewell goal ruled out as Crystal Palace hold Chelsea to draw
Chelsea have a gold badge on the shirt for the next four years but they had lead in their boots for much of their opening game. This was a flat start to a possible title challenge from the new world champions, who were unable to lift themselves after being dragged back down to earth during this feisty London derby, and it could have been worse given that Crystal Palace's diminishing faith in authority was not exactly helped by Eberechi Eze having the only goal of the game ruled out by a pedantic VAR intervention. It would have been some way for Eze to sign off for Palace, assuming that his widely anticipated move to Tottenham goes through this week. The playmaker appeared to have given Oliver Glasner's excellent side the lead when he blasted an early free-kick past Robert Sánchez, although Palace's mistake was forgetting that nothing is ever truly certain in modern football. They have already had one prize snatched away this summer – Uefa demoting them to the Conference League over a failure to comply with multi-club ownership rules – and endured more frustration when Darren England, the on-pitch referee, was sent to the pitchside monitor and penalised Marc Guéhi for straying within a metre of the Chelsea wall as he grappled with Moisés Caicedo. A correct application of the law? Probably, but it still felt like too much interference. Glasner was right to point out that such offences rarely draw censure. 'Everyone in the stadium thought it was a goal,' the Palace defender Chris Richards said. 'But you live and die by VAR and today we died from it.' Yet Palace keep battling. They still risk losing Guéhi and Eze, whose participation in this game had been in doubt when talks over a move to Spurs progressed on Saturday, but nobody will relish playing them at the moment. There is some serious talent at Glasner's disposal – Adam Wharton offered elegance in midfield, while Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell negated Chelsea's wingers – and after following up their victory against Manchester City in the FA Cup final last season by beating Liverpool in the Community Shield, this was further proof of their discipline, skill and tactical excellence. It gave context to Chelsea's stumble. They might be playing catchup already but it is too early to talk of dropped points. Palace will probably threaten to inconvenience Chelsea's rivals further down the line. Enzo Maresca was relaxed afterwards, saying he saw no signs of lethargy. Equally, though, concerns over whether Chelsea will pay a price in terms of physicality after earning all that prize money during their triumphant, extended summer have not disappeared .They had a crunched pre-season after going all the way in the Club World Cup and, for all the celebrations before kick‑off, it was fair to wonder if Chelsea would be ready to go only 35 days after taking Paris Saint-Germain apart in New Jersey. Those misgivings about Chelsea's rustiness became evident during an opening in which their passes went astray and their attackers struggled to find space. There was an early booking for Reece James, Caicedo was guilty of some uncharacteristic loose touches and Maresca will not take much pleasure from seeing his argument for his superiors to react to Levi Colwill's long-term knee injury by signing a new centre-back grow stronger. Colwill, so crucial to the team's buildup play from the back, was missed. Tosin Adarabioyo's absence with a minor issue was another complication, although Maresca was pleased with how Josh Acheampong performed as the central centre‑back in possession. There was one errant pass from the 19‑year‑old, sparking the sequence that led to Eze's disallowed free‑kick, but he grew more assured as the game progressed. Chelsea improved in the second half. Estêvão Willian offered excitement after replacing Jamie Gittens, who had a disappointing debut on the left flank, and almost snatched the winning goal. Andrey Santos, who replaced a tiring Enzo Fernández during the closing stages, was wasteful with a decent opportunity. Yet Cole Palmer was quiet and João Pedro was crowded out by Palace's imposing back three before making away for Liam Delap. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Palace had plenty of moments; there was one gorgeous piece of play from Wharton, pirouetting and sending Jean-Philippe Mateta through to test Sanchez, while Eze had a chance to win it on the counterattack. In the end the mind went back to Eze being denied by officialdom. 'I think there was no influence with Eb's strike but the referee said Marc was too close so we have to accept it,' Glasner said. Palace's manager looked to the future, insisting that Eze will start in his side's Conference League playoff against Fredrikstad on Thursday. Chelsea will continue to evolve. They created little and remain likely to strengthen their attack with Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons. A share of the spoils with a decent side is no cause for anyone to panic.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Eze has possible farewell goal ruled out as Crystal Palace hold Chelsea to draw
If there was a sense of the new world champions being dragged back down to earth on a sweltering afternoon at Stamford Bridge, it should not be forgotten that any side as short of match sharpness as Chelsea would not have relished trying to find a way past opponents who seem to like nothing more than to bloody the noses of the elite. Perhaps this will be read as two dropped points for Enzo Maresca's side as they look to build on a triumphant summer in the US by mounting a title challenge. Anyone paying attention, though, will know there is nothing easy about trying to find a way through a team coached by Oliver Glasner. Crystal Palace, after all, are riding high after building on winning the FA Cup by beating Liverpool in the Community Shield and the pleasing thing for Maresca will be that his players grew into the contest as it wore on, even if the overall impression was that all the riches earned from Fifa's expanded Club World Cup has left Chelsea with a physical price to pay. Chelsea were unable to lift their level in the final third and the reality is that they were lucky not to lose. Palace were left feeling aggrieved when Eberechi Eze, who impressed in what may have been his last game for the club, had an early free-kick ruled out. Chelsea might have had a gold badge on the shirt but it was not a surprise that they had lead in their boots during the early stages. A compressed pre-season has made preparations awkward and while the home fans enjoyed the pre-match festivities, crowing as they drank in the unveiling of a shiny world champions sign overlooking the Shed End just before kick-off, it was fair to wonder if Maresca's side were going to be ready given that it had been only 35 days since they were taking Paris Saint-Germain apart in New Jersey. Those doubts were not exactly batted away during an opening in which Chelsea's rustiness was evident in the way they struggled to execute their passes and play through Palace. It was bitty from the hosts for much of the opening period, the usual connections simply not there, and Maresca will have felt his case for the board to listen to his pleas for a new centre-back grow stronger. Levi Colwill, so crucial to the team's buildup from the back, was a big miss after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in training earlier this month, and the issues were exacerbated with Tosin Adarabioyo also unavailable with a minor injury. Palace sought to exploit those frailties. It has been a trying summer for the FA Cup winners, who have spent it railing against the established order, and they had a point to prove after being demoted to the Conference League by Uefa for failing to comply with multi-club ownership rules. At least Glasner was able to start Marc Guéhi in central defence and Eze in attack, the latter's place having come into doubt earlier in the weekend as his prospective move to Tottenham edges nearer. Palace, though, soon felt the impatience with authority rising. They thought they had an early lead when Eze smashed a free-kick past Robert Sánchez in the 13th minute, only for the goal to be disallowed after Darren England was called to the pitchside monitor and penalised Guéhi for being within a metre of the Chelsea wall. The free-kick stemmed from an error from Josh Acheampong, who started as Colwill's replacement, moving into a central centre-back role in possession. Maresca, far less demonstrative than Glasner, looked pensive on the touchline. Chelsea were slow to the loose balls and had no grip in midfield, where Adam Wharton and Will Hughes often had the measure of Caicedo and Enzo Fernández. Wharton was a notable delight, the England Under-21 international following one gorgeous pirouette by piercing Chelsea's defence with a gorgeous pass. Jean-Philippe Mateta shot too close to Sánchez. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Chelsea's chances before half-time were limited to Marc Cucurella seeing a header cleared off the line and Trevoh Chalobah firing over from close range. Cole Palmer was quiet. Jamie Gittens, handed a debut on the left wing, got no change out of Daniel Muñoz. João Pedro worked hard but was often crowded out. Maresca reset during the interval. Chelsea were given an injection of energy when Gittens made way for Estêvão Willian. The Brazilian teenager was soon running at Tyrick Mitchell on the right but blazed over with his one chance. Palace, who were fortunate that Mateta avoided a second yellow card for a late tackle on Caicedo, fell back after an hour. Maresca responded by utilising his attacking depth, Liam Delap coming on for João Pedro. But Palace retained a threat on the counterattack Sánchez turning over a powerful effort from Eze. Added time brought one last glimmer from Chelsea, Andrey Santos sidefooting over not long after replacing Fernández. A draw was fair on the balance of play.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Eberechi Eze has goal ruled out as Crystal Palace hold Chelsea to draw
If there was a sense of the new world champions being dragged back down to earth on a sweltering afternoon at Stamford Bridge, it should not be forgotten that any side as short of match sharpness as Chelsea would not have relished trying to find a way past opponents who seem to like nothing more than bloody the noses of the elite. Perhaps this will be read as two dropped points for Enzo Maresca's side as they look to build on a triumphant summer in the US by mounting a title challenge. Anyone paying attention, though, will know there is nothing easy about trying to find a way through a team coached by Oliver Glasner. Crystal Palace, after all, are riding high after building on winning the FA Cup by beating Liverpool in the Community Shield and the pleasing thing for Maresca will be that his players grew into the contest as it wore on, even if the overall impression was that all the riches earned from Fifa's expanded Club World Cup has left Chelsea with a physical price to pay. Chelsea were unable to lift their level in the final third and the reality is that they were lucky not to lose. Palace were left feeling aggrieved when Eberechi Eze, who impressed in what may have been his last game for the club, had an early free-kick ruled out. Chelsea might have had a gold badge on the shirt but it was not a surprise that they had lead in their boots during the early stages. A compressed pre-season has made preparations awkward and while the home fans enjoyed the pre-match festivities, crowing as they drank in the unveiling of a shiny world champions sign overlooking the Shed End just before kick-off, it was fair to wonder if Maresca's side were going to be ready given that it had only been 35 days since they were taking Paris Saint-Germain apart in New Jersey. Those doubts were not exactly batted away during an opening in which Chelsea's rustiness was evident in the way they struggled to execute their passes and play through Palace. It was bitty from the hosts for much of the opening period, the usual connections simply not there, and Maresca will have felt his case for the board to listen to his pleas for a new centre-back grow stronger. Levi Colwill, so crucial to the team's buildup from the back, was a big miss after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in training earlier this month, and the issues were exacerbated with Tosin Adarabioyo also unavailable with a minor injury. Palace sought to exploit those frailties. It has been a trying summer for the FA Cup winners, who have spent it railing against the established order, and they had a point to prove after being demoted to the Conference League by Uefa over failing to comply with multi-club ownership rules. At least Glasner was able to start Marc Guéhi in central defence and Eze in attack, the latter's place having come into doubt earlier in the weekend as his prospective move to Tottenham edges nearer. Palace, though, soon felt the impatience with authority rising. They thought they had an early lead when Eze smashed a free-kick past Robert Sánchez in the 13th minute, only for the goal to be disallowed after Darren England was called to the pitchside monitor and penalised Guéhi for being within a metre of the Chelsea wall. The free-kick stemmed from an error from Josh Acheampong, who started as Colwill's replacement, moving into a central centre-back role in possession. Maresca, far less demonstrative than Glasner, looked pensive on the touchline. Chelsea were slow to the loose balls and had no grip in midfield, where Adam Wharton and Will Hughes often had the measure of Caicedo and Enzo Fernández. Wharton was a notable delight, the England Under-21 international following one gorgeous pirouette by piercing Chelsea's defence with a gorgeous pass. Jean-Philippe Mateta shot too close to Sánchez. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Chelsea's chances before half-time were limited to Marc Cucurella seeing a header cleared off the line and Trevoh Chalobah firing over from close range. Cole Palmer was quiet. Jamie Gittens, handed a debut on the left wing, got no change out of Daniel Muñoz. João Pedro worked hard but was often crowded out. Maresca reset during the interval. Chelsea were given an injection of energy when Gittens made way for Estêvão Willian. The Brazilian teenager was soon running at Tyrick Mitchell on the right but blazed over with his one chance. Palace, who were fortunate that Mateta avoided a second yellow card for a late tackle on Caicedo, fell back after an hour. Maresca responded by utilising his attacking depth, Liam Delap coming on for João Pedro. But Palace retained a threat on the counterattack Sánchez turning over a powerful effort from Eze. Added time brought one last glimmer from Chelsea, Andrey Santos sidefooting over not long after replacing Fernández. A draw was fair on the balance of play.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Hearts' challenge now is to compete with Old Firm'
Can Hearts live up to Tony Bloom's audacious claim they can vie for the title this season?New minority shareholder Bloom wants Hearts to be champions within 10 years, but former manager Robbie Neilson says the first aim is to challenge the established big on the BBC's Scottish football podcast, Neilson said: "It's now about competing against the Old Firm for Hearts. That's where I see them. They look the dominant third force."The question will be can they make the step to go beyond one of them, which is obviously with Tony Bloom coming in? That's what they're trying to do."But I think it will be very, very difficult over the course of a full season. "One of the big things about Hearts is momentum, especially when you're at Tynecastle. If you can build that momentum of winning games, which they have managed to do in the group stages of the League Cup, you then take that into the league."It's really there at the moment, but the first big question will be when the Old Firm come to town, can you turn them over?
