Chelsea held by Palace at Stamford Bridge

Enzo Maresca's Chelsea have won only once in the first three league games of the Italian's reign after a chaotic close-season.

Beaten by Manchester City on the opening weekend, Chelsea powered to a 6-2 win at Wolves last weekend before scraping into the UEFA Conference League group stage after a 2-1 loss at Servette on Thursday.

Former Leicester boss Maresca insists his expensive Chelsea rebuild, featuring a host of new signings, is ahead of schedule despite their inconsistent start.

Jadon Sancho's loan move from Manchester United was the final piece in Chelsea's overhaul since last term and the winger was introduced to the crowd before taking his seat in the director's box next to Blues co-owner Behdad Eghbali.

But Sancho can't have been impressed by his new team as they failed to kill off Palace after Noni Madueke picked out Cole Palmer and his pass was slotted home by Nicolas Jackson in the 25th minute.

Maresca was furious after Palace midfielder Will Hughes avoided a second yellow card for a foul on Palmer. Looking for their first point this season after defeats against Brentford and West Ham, Palace made the most of that escape to drew level in the 53rd minute.

England midfielder Eberechi Eze unfurled a superb curling finish that flashed past Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez from 20 yards. Eze's eye-catching goal and a late close-range miss by Jackson ended Chelsea's run of 14 successive wins against Palace in all competitions.

 

September 1, 2024