Eberechi Eze scored a stunning equaliser for Crystal Palace as the Eagles held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League matchday three clash.
Crystal Palace flew out of the blocks with early pressure on the Blues before the intense play was tamed with a foul to Chelsea in their half.
The Blues began to dominate proceedings after the foul. A new signing from Wolves, Pedro Neto, was tripped with the home side winning a foul again.
Cole Palmer took the free-kick but had it was headed away by the Palace defence. Neto saw the first yellow card of the game after he tripped down Crystal Palace player Munoz.
There was no clear chance created until the 12th minute when Cole Palmer found space close to the box but his attempt sailed wide over the post.
Crystal Palace midfielder Hughes saw the second yellow card of the game after he pulled back Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson from a dangerous movement towards the goal.
Chelsea continued to dominate proceedings going forward, but it was in the 25th minute that the Blues broke the deadlock. A speedy counter attack by the home side saw them pierce through the visitors’ defence with Nicolas Jackson in place to score from Cole Palmer’s assist.
It was largely uneventful after the Blues took the lead. Both sides failed to create clearcut chances going forward and Nicolas Jackson’s 25th-minute goal was enough to give the Blues the lead at the break.
The Blues continued on their dominant start in the second half. Cole Palmer was close to doubling the lead when he delivered a perfect free-kick on goal but Henderson tipped it over with a superb save.
Eberechi Eze scores stunning equaliser for Crystal Palace
Meanwhile, against the run of play, Crystal Palace made a dramatic comeback into the game. A shambolic Chelsea defence had left the ball on a platter at the edge of the box for Eberechi Eze, who made no mistake beating Robert Sanchez with a curled effort into the right side of the goal.
Eze’s goal bolstered the confidence of the away side, who began to make good advances in Chelsea’s half. Robert Sanchez was forced to make a series of spectacular saves to keep the Blues in the game. The most notable being a 77th-minute brilliant attempt by Kamada.
Enzo Maresca made some substitutions to change the game as the home side were running out of steam. Pedro Neto was taken out for Joao Felix with Mudryk coming in for Malo Gusto. Noni Madueke was also subbed off for Christopher Nkunku.
The late substitutions added more impetus to the Blues’ attack. Nicolas Jackson came close twice to put the Blues in front again but missed the chances. First, he hit the side netting after finding space in the box to shoot.
A minute later, he came close again to make it count after beating Crystal Palace’s last defender but was denied with a superb save by the goalkeeper.
With a few minutes left to play, the Blues continued to build pressure on the Eagles but could not break the deadlock. The game finally ended with both sides settling for a 1-1 draw.
Eberechi Eze’s stunning goal steals spotlight
Eberechi made the headlines for his brilliant finishing that handed Crystal Palace a point in the game.
According to OptaJoe, Eberechi Eze’s goal against Chelsea is his fifth strike outside the box in the Premier League in 2024 and the joint-most by any Premier League player, along with Phil Foden of Manchester City.
Reacting to the goal, a fan, Edmund Barrack wrote, “Special by Eberechi Eze.”
Also, another fan Ibukun Aluko described it as a brilliant finish, enough to be nominated for Premier League goal of the season. He wrote, “Eberechi Eze with what looks like goal of the season against Chelsea.”
Eze’s goal is his 27th for Crystal Palace and his first this season. The prolific attacker will hope to continue on his brilliant form with Crystal Palace this season.
