Eberechi Eze was denied a memorable opening goal in Chelsea vs Crystal Palace on Sunday as both teams started their 2025/26 Premier League seasons at Stamford Bridge.
Taking aim from a centrally-located free-kick, playmaker Eze blasted his strike through the defensive wall – only for referee Darren England to announce that the goal was overturned following a pitchside monitor check.
“This would be scandalous if this is ruled out,” former Chelsea forward Chris Sutton told Sky Sports before Palace were thwarted.
Ebere Eze, WOW! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/S764jCWS0E
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 17, 2025
Why was Eze goal ruled out vs Chelsea?
Palace captain Marc Guehi was adjudged to have been less than a metre from the defensive wall when the free-kick was taken, resulting in an indirect Chelsea free-kick.
“That seems extremely harsh to me,” said Sutton, who appeared to believe Guehi had been deemed guilty of a foul on Moises Caicedo.
Huge cheers at Stamford Bridge as the goal is overturned by VAR for a foul on Moises Caicedo from Marc Guehi 🎥❌ pic.twitter.com/6AnospFRpG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 17, 2025
“There is a use of his body, a little bit of strength. You can look at it that way but there are certain times in football where you just feel whether something is right or wrong and that just seems mightily, mightily harsh.”
Former England right-back Micah Richards said officials deserved “respect” for “finding these little details”.
“If you apply the rules and the letter of the law, it is the correct decision,” added Richards. “Even if we don’t like it.”
Chelsea vs Palace: Sanchez ‘question marks’
Sutton felt Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was culpable for the shot going in. “You’ve got to say there are question marks over Sanchez,” he suggested.
“It’s a brilliant, brilliant strike but I wonder whether Sanchez could see it at all because he just doesn’t react until the ball’s past him.
“There were question marks over Sanchez last season. He should be saving that.
“It’s a thunderbolt, isn’t it? Up and over? ‘No, just put my foot through it.’ Laces through the ball.”
Chelsea team vs Crystal Palace
Forward Joao Pedro was among Chelsea’s new faces after joining the Blues from Brighton & Hove Albion for £60 million.
Jamie Gittens also arrived from Borussia Dortmund for a fee that could rise to £52m, while fellow wideman Estevao cost an initial £29m from Palmeiras.
Premier League Betting Offers – Best Betting Sites & free Bets For Game Week 1!
Gittens and Joao Pedro started for Chelsea, who were without Tosin Adarabioyo after the defender suffered a minor issue in training.
Brazil newcomer Estevao, 18, was on the bench after scoring against Chelsea at the Club World Cup and impressing during pre-season.
Key defender Levi Colwill is expected to miss the majority of the campaign with a serious knee injury and long-term absentee Wesley Fofana returned on the bench.
Defender Benoit Badiashile and midfielder Romeo Lavia are stepping up their recoveries from injuries.
Chelsea starting XI: Sanchez, James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Gittens, Joao Pedro
Chelsea substitutes: Jorgensen, Fofana, Gusto, Hato, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Delap, Estevao, George
Crystal Palace team vs Chelsea
Eze and Guehi started despite intense speculation around their futures with the Eagles.
Eze is wanted by Tottenham and England international Marc Guehi has attracted interest from Liverpool.
Crystal Palace starting XI: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Wharton, Hughes, Sarr, Eze, Mateta
Crystal Palace substitutes: Benitez, Clyne, Cardines, Sosa, Lerma, Devenny, Esse, Rak-Sakyi, Edouard
How to watch Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Sunday was at 14:00 BST (09:00 ET / 06:00 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Ultra.
Prices for Sky Sports and TNT Sports vary. Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £26 a month for a six-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.
Sky Sports memberships include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live streams and a dedicated channel.
