Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze saw a stunning free-kick ruled out as the Eagles were forced to settle for a goalless Premier League draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The 27-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham, powered home from 20 yards in the 13th minute. However, referee Darren England disallowed the goal following a VAR check, ruling that defender Marc Guehi — also the subject of transfer interest from Liverpool — was less than one metre from Chelsea’s wall when the free-kick was taken.
The rarely enforced rule, introduced in 2019, denied Palace what could have been a dream send-off for Eze amid uncertainty over his future. Despite further chances from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maxence Lacroix, the visitors could not find a breakthrough, though they were the brighter side in the first half.
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Chelsea, fresh from their Club World Cup triumph over Paris Saint-Germain just 35 days ago, struggled for rhythm in the opening period. Their short pre-season of only 13 days was evident, though substitute debutants Estevao Willian, Liam Delap, and Andrey Santos injected more energy after the break.
Five players — Estevao, Delap, Santos, Joao Pedro, and Jamie Gittens — made their league debuts for the Blues following another busy summer at Stamford Bridge.
Palace, meanwhile, face a nervous end to the transfer window with both Eze and Guehi attracting major interest from Premier League rivals.
