- Chelsea held to 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace
- Nicolas Jackson scored opener for hosts
- Ebere Eze with sensational equaliser
FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE - Chelsea failed to make their dominance pay in a 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Enzo Maresca is still without a win at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League after watching his side drop two points when they should have killed the game.
The Eagles battled hard to eventually get a grip in the game and snapped a run of two straight defeats to open the new campaign.
How the game unfolded
The first half-chance of the game swung Chelsea's way after 12 minutes when Cole Palmer was afforded time and space on the edge of the box to shoot, but his effort curled just past the post.
A similar opening showed itself at the other end as Adam Wharton let fly from 20 yards, with his shot easily held by Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea should have taken the lead midway through the first half when a long ball by Malo Gusto was flicked on by Nicolas Jackson into Noni Madueke, who slipped in behind Marc Guehi but rolled the ball wide.
Madueke had another fine chance to score moments later when he raced onto the end of an Enzo Fernandez clipped pass over the top, and this time his volley was denied by Dean Henderson.
The pressure eventually told and Chelsea went ahead with their next opportunity. Madueke raced around the back of Will Hughes, who couldn't make a cynical foul as he was on a yellow card, and played in Palmer, who squared for Nicolas Jackson to tap in at the far post.
In the second half, Henderson produced another stretch save to keep out Palmer, this time from a 20-yard direct free-kick.
But against the run of play, Palace found a leveller soon after. Chelsea failed to clear an Eagles set piece and the ball fell to Eberechi Eze on the edge of the box. With a touch to set himself, the England international picked out the far corner of Sanchez's net.
Palace snatched control of the game and went close to going ahead when Daniel Munoz's cut-back was met by Daichi Kamada. His strike was fumbled by Sanchez, but mercifully for the Spaniard the ball landed on top of the net.
At the beginning of eight minutes of stoppage time, a good chunk of Stamford Bridge thought the hosts had gone back in front when Jackson fired into the side-netting.
Seconds later, Jackson raced in the clear again after beating the offside trap, but Henderson did well to stand his ground and deny him at the near post.
Chelsea player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Robert Sanchez - 5/10 - No chance of getting near Eze's thunderbolt. Didn't have too much to do other than pick that strike out of his net.
RB: Malo Gusto - 6/10 - Effective on the ball, particularly when Chelsea were in the ascendancy. Picked up a muscle injury in the second half.
CB: Wesley Fofana - 6/10 - Another positive display following his return this season from long-term injury.
CB: Levi Colwill - 6/10 - A little sloppy in possession but was confident in his defensive duties, completely silencing Mateta.
LB: Marc Cucurella - 5/10 - A performance more reminiscent of Cucurella's early days at Stamford Bridge. Provided little on the ball and was continually beaten by Munoz.
CM: Moises Caicedo - 6/10 - Nipped his way into tackles and asserted his authority in the midfield battle.
CM: Enzo Fernandez - 5/10 - Started brightly with some excellent passing, but couldn't pick the lock or keep his cool when Chelsea were in need of his supposed magic.
RW: Noni Madueke - 8/10 - Embracing his recent role as Chelsea's protagonist. Tore apart Hughes and co in the first half, leading to the opening goal. Quietened in the second when the hosts lost control.
AM: Cole Palmer - 7/10 - His usual and brilliant ingenuity was standout in opening 45 minutes, though was guilty of overplaying when Chelsea became frustrated.
LW: Pedro Neto - 5/10 - Nowhere near as effective as Madueke on the other wing. Still working on his partnership with Cucurella down the left.
CF: Nicolas Jackson - 7/10 - A menace as always and was good value for his goal. Arguably should have scored a winner with one of two late, late chances.
Substitutes
SUB: Joao Felix (58' for Neto) - 6/10
SUB: Mykhailo Mudryk (74' for Gusto) - 6/10
SUB: Christopher Nkunku (86' for Madueke) - 6/10
Subs not used: Filip Jorgensen (GK), Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Cesare Casadei
Manager
Enzo Maresca - 6/10 - Chelsea showed the fun side they can be on the ball, but there remains an issue of trying to keep control.
Crystal Palace player ratings (3-4-2-1)
GK: Dean Henderson - 7/10 - Probably could have done better to prevent Jackson's opener but made up for it with a string of fine saves, especially late in the day.
CB: Nathaniel Clyne - 7/10 - Helped double up on the tandem of Neto and Cucurella. Got back to put off Jackson with the last chance of the game.
CB: Marc Guehi - 7/10 - Lost his concentration at points but generally impressive in defending his own box. Came up with the odd pass between the lines as well.
CB: Chris Richards - 6/10 - Managed to steady himself after a rough opening period chasing Madueke and Palmer.
RM: Daniel Munoz - 8/10 - Absolutely dominated his flank and was unlucky not to have a goal involvement to his name at the end of it all. Standout for Palace.
CM: Adam Wharton - 6/10 - Drowned under pressure from Caicedo at first but orchestrated the game when Palace got on the scoresheet.
CM: Will Hughes - 3/10 - Picked up an early booking and Chelsea, particularly Madueke, sought to target him at any given opportunity. Hooked soon after the restart when he was in real danger of being sent off.
LM: Tyrick Mitchell - 5/10 - Given the unenviable task of trying to clamp Madueke, who did well to track the wing-back the other way.
AM: Daichi Kamada - 6/10 - Knitted attacks together neatly with his quick-thinking and one-touch passes.
AM: Ebere Eze - 8/10 - Brought anger out of Glasner and Palace fans for not releasing the ball quick enough, before calling upon his trademark genius to haul the Eagles level and earn them a point.
CF: Jean-Philippe Mateta - 5/10 - Tried to bully Colwill but the young defender was having none of it. Withdrawn for a quicker outlet up front in Sarr.
Substitutes
SUB: Cheick Doucoure (50' for Hughes) - 7/10
SUB: Ismaila Sarr (67' for Mateta) - 6/10
SUB: Jeffrey Schlupp (88' for Kamada) - N/A
Subs not used: Remi Matthews (GK), Joel Ward, Kaden Rodney, Justin Devenny, Asher Agbinone, Franco Umeh-Chibueze
Manager
Oliver Glasner - 6/10 - The first half was concerning for Palace, but then they found their groove and could have taken all three points themselves.
