Chelsea held by Palace after controversial Eze goal ruled out

Chelsea survived an early scare as Crystal Palace had an Eberechi Eze goal controversially disallowed in a scrappy 0-0 Premier League draw on Sunday.

According to the The Independent, the Blues, playing their first competitive match since lifting the Club World Cup last month, struggled to impose themselves against the FA Cup holders in the warm southwest London sunshine.

Palace thought they had taken the lead in the 13th minute when Eze’s free kick found the net, but referee Darren England, after consulting the pitchside monitor, ruled that captain Marc Guehi had shoved Moises Caicedo and was positioned too close to Chelsea’s defensive wall.

Chelsea, who finished fourth last season and claimed the Conference League title, handed starts to new youthful signings Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens.

However, it was 18-year-old Brazilian substitute Estevao who provided the brightest spark with a lively cameo down the right flank.

Despite moments of promise, neither side found the breakthrough as both settled for a point in a cagey contest.

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