Crystal Palace walked out of Stamford Bridge with another scalpel-sharp display against a ‘big-six’ side and a clean sheet to prove it. Oliver Glasner’s men controlled the first-half story, had Chelsea rattled, and saw Eberechi Eze’s thunderous free-kick ruled out by one of the rulebook’s dustier corners before seeing out a professional 0–0.

There was more than resilience on show. Adam Wharton dictated rhythm with the poise of an old pro, Jean-Philippe Mateta ran Chelsea’s back line ragged, and the full-backs fenced off the flanks. Even as the Bridge surged late, Palace held their structure and still carried a counter threat.

Eze’s moment of brilliance meets an obscure metre rule

On 13 minutes, Eze, picked despite transfer noise, ripped a free-kick past Robert Sánchez and into the corner — a strike worthy of any highlight reel. VAR then summoned Darren England to the screen and the goal was scratched: Marc Guéhi had strayed within a metre of Chelsea’s wall as the ball was hit, triggering a 2019 law rarely enforced.

Glasner accepted the letter of the law while warning the league to be careful: blocks happen around almost every free-kick. The Eagles channelled the injustice well, sharpening their press and carving the best open-play chance minutes later.

Wharton’s poise, Mateta’s menace and a first-half statement

The midfield duel leaned Palace’s way. Wharton pirouetted away from pressure and slid Mateta through for a 15th-minute one-on-one, Sánchez saving. Will Hughes balanced the engine room, while Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell clamped down on Chelsea’s wingers.

At centre-back, Guéhi and Joachim Andersen anticipated and stepped in, forcing Chelsea long and blunting João Pedro’s link play. The only real alarm came from a set piece, Marc Cucurella’s glancing header hooked off the line by a covering defender.

Holding the line when the Bridge rose

The second half asked different questions as Chelsea’s subs arrived. Palace answered with organisation. The block dropped five to 10 yards, distances stayed tight, and transition moments were chosen rather than chased. Eze still stung Sánchez’s palms from range, proof the counterpunch remained.

Dean Henderson’s work was tidy more than spectacular, claiming crosses and setting quickly. When Liam Delap volleyed on target late on, Henderson’s positioning did the rest; the back four protected his six-yard box with admirable calm.

An elite identity — and noise around the squad — co-exist

Glasner’s Palace have a clear imprint: front-foot cues to press, vertical speed when possession turns, and set-play detail. The XI that lifted the FA Cup and Community Shield largely went again; only Daichi Kamada’s injury opened a lane for Hughes. It looked, again, like a team drilled to compete anywhere.

Transfer storylines hum: Spurs talking for Eze, Liverpool linked to Guéhi, previous bids for Mateta, long-term eyes on Wharton. None of it showed in the collective work. Whatever the window brings, this performance at a charged Bridge reinforced the floor Glasner has set.

Key Eagles moments that mattered

13′ – Eze’s free-kick is ruled out for wall encroachment. 15′ – Wharton picks the lock and Mateta is denied by Sánchez. 38′ – Eze forces a flying save from distance.

65′–90′ – Palace hold shape as Chelsea throw on pace; Henderson claims cleanly and the back line clears the lines. 90′+ – One last Chelsea surge ends with Santos over the bar.

What the draw gives Palace

Another big-stage performance, another clean sheet, and another reminder that this group can dictate terms to elite opponents. The disallowed goal will sting, but the process will please: control early, resilience late.

Glasner’s takeaway is simple: keep the structure, manage the noise, and let the details decide the next one. If this was Eze’s last dance in red and blue, it was a parting performance worthy of the player he has become.