Eberechi Eze looked as though he said his goodbyes to the Crystal Palace fans at Stamford Bridge after being denied what might have been the perfect farewell by a little-known rule.

The FIFA Club World Cup winners began their Premier League campaign with an uninspiring goalless draw at an expectant Stamford Bridge

Eberechi Eze saw a stunning free-kick controversially ruled out as Crystal Palace drew 0-0 at Stamford Bridge to open the Premier League season. Chelsea came into the tie off the back of a brief but encouraging pre-season campaign, where they beat both Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan, but could not carry that form into competitive play.

Report and free match highlights from the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge; Eberechi Eze has goal ruled out after VAR check for wall infringement by Palace captain Marc Guehi;

Maresca watched on as his team were made to pay for a glut of missed opportunities, though the Blues were perhaps fortunate not to find themselves behind early on

In a Premier League first, Stamford Bridge witnessed referee Darren England explain a VAR decision to the crowd during Chelsea's goalless draw against

FIFA Club World Cup champion Chelsea is back on English soil and gets its Premier League season started at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.