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Credit: Imago/Crystal Palace FC

Chris Smith

Sun 17 August 2025 16:12, UK

Crystal Palace made a strong start to the 2025/26 Premier League season with a 0-0 draw away at Chelsea on Sunday.

Notwithstanding being downgraded from the Europa League to the Conference League, the Eagles have enjoyed a wonderful few months, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield.

And they proved why they’re such a threat under Oliver Glasner, shutting down Chelsea and frustrating the life out of the Stamford Bridge crowd in this London derby.

It could have been even better for Palace had they not seen an Eze rocket disallowed in the 13th minute, with VAR spotting an infringement from Guehi.

Even so, a goalless draw away at Chelsea would have been an ideal way to kick things off for any Palace fan — and that’s what Glasner’s men earned, even despite some late pressure from the hosts.

Here are the full Crystal Palace player ratings from their opening fixture of the new season:

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Dean Henderson – 7

Had precious little to do as Chelsea floundered in attack, making just two saves — though they were worth 0.65 goals prevented.

Tidy enough with the ball at his feet and alert to any balls behind the Palace defence.

Chris Richards – 8

Composed on the ball and solid defensively, winning all four of his duels, while making two tackles, two blocks, three clearances and an interception (FotMob).

Maxence Lacroix – 9

Like Richards, Lacroix was calm and collected on the ball, and even busier defensively.

The Frenchman made seven clearances, three blocks, two interceptions, two tackles and two recovery, alongside winning five of his nine duels.

An immovable object against a lacklustre Chelsea defence.

Marc Guehi – 7

Caught out by VAR for Eze’s disallowed goal and endured a couple of sloppy moments with the ball, but performed well at the back to maintain the clean sheet.

Daniel Munoz – 6

Nowhere near as effective going forward as usual, but Munoz kept things tight at the other end, not giving Jamie Gittens any joy.

Adam Wharton – 7

It’s been a strange week for Wharton following links to Real Madrid.

Most of Mateta’s best moments came in his own box, helping Palace deal with a deluge of Chelsea corners.
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