Chelsea were held to a scrappy goalless draw by Crystal Palace in Sunday’s Premier League clash, despite surviving an early scare when Eberechi Eze saw his goal ruled out in controversial fashion.
The Blues, returning to action for the first time since lifting the Club World Cup last month, struggled to find rhythm under the bright southwest London sunshine, failing to impose themselves on the FA Cup holders.
Palace thought they had broken the deadlock in the 13th minute when Eze’s free kick found the net, but referee Darren England overturned the strike after reviewing the pitchside monitor.
The decision hinged on Palace skipper Marc Guehi, who was adjudged to have shoved Moises Caicedo while standing too close to Chelsea’s wall.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who ended last season with a fourth-place finish and a Conference League triumph, handed starts to new youthful arrivals Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens.
Yet it was teenage substitute Estevão who lit up the contest, with the 18-year-old Brazilian showing flashes of brilliance on the right flank, offering Chelsea their brightest spark in an otherwise lacklustre performance.
