Chelsea’s disappointing start to the English Premier League season continued as they played to a goalless draw against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 13, 2023. Following a brief pre-season that included a victory in the Club World Cup, the Chelsea squad appeared to lack both preparation and cohesion. This was evident as Oliver Glasner’s Palace managed to contain a new-look attack that struggled to generate scoring opportunities.
Eberechi Eze, who has been the subject of transfer speculation, started for Palace and left a strong impression on the crowd. He received a standing ovation when substituted late in the match, a clear indication of his importance to the team and the support he commands from the fans. Eze’s standout moment came in the first half when he struck a stunning free-kick, only for it to be disallowed due to Marc Guehi’s obstruction of Chelsea’s wall. This decision prompted a furious reaction from the Palace supporters, who felt the goal should have stood.
Chelsea’s players showed signs of mental fatigue, competing for the first time since their victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final just 35 days earlier. The match was characterized by a lack of creativity from both sides, with neither team able to dominate the game.
In a contrasting performance, Nottingham Forest eased their manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s concerns with a decisive 3-1 win over Brentford. Prior to the match, Nuno had expressed worries about his squad’s depth, but his team’s performance at the City Ground was anything but lackluster. New signings Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee were introduced before kick-off, adding to the excitement around the club.
Chris Wood scored twice, and Dan Ndoye marked his debut with a goal, giving Forest a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime. Although Igor Thiago managed to score a penalty for Brentford in the second half, it did little to threaten Forest’s strong position. With further signings expected and a Europa League campaign on the horizon following last season’s seventh-place finish, Nottingham Forest’s supporters are likely to feel optimistic about the season ahead.
As the day progressed, Manchester United faced Arsenal in the late match, adding to the day’s excitement in the Premier League.
