The China Mail - Chelsea draw blank in Crystal Palace stalemate

Palace were denied an early opener when Eberechi Eze's free-kick was ruled out by a VAR review for Marc Guehi obstructing the Chelsea wall.

New Chelsea signing Estevao came closest to snatching a winner for the home side, but the newly-crowned world champions were blunt in attack against a well-organised Palace defence.

The Eagles key duo of Guehi and Eze started despite mounting speculation the England internationals are set to join Liverpool and Tottenham, respectively.

"As long as they are 100 percent committed, they will play as they are so good," said Palace boss Oliver Glasner.

"They didn't just show they are great footballers, but they are great persons and that's what I expected."

Eze thought he had opened the scoring with a blistering free-kick that had too much power for Robert Sanchez.

The goal was disallowed for Guehi's role in creating a gap by man-handling Moises Caicedo into the Chelsea wall.

Chelsea's demolition of European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final last month had raised the Blues' hopes they can challenge for a first Premier League title since 2017.

But Enzo Maresca bemoaned his side's lack of preparation time since beating PSG in New York just 35 days ago.

"They played about eight (pre-season) games, we played just two so we tried our best," said the Italian.

"We expected a tough game. Apart from the first half free-kick, we didn't concede any chances."

Estevao scored against Chelsea at the Club World Cup in his final game for Palmeiras.

The Brazilian has been hyped as one of the world's brightest young talents but lacked the composure to finish when he sliced high and wide from the middle of the box.

Nottingham Forest made light of manager Nuno Espirito Santo's pre-season fears over a lack of signings with a dominant 3-1 win over a much-changed Brentford.

Chris Wood struck twice either side of Dan Ndyoe's debut goal for Forest on a nightmare afternoon for new Brentford boss Keith Andrews.

"It was a very good first half. The combinations were really good, beautiful goals," said Nuno.

"This is why we are insisting on a good balanced squad that gives us options and solutions."

The Bees have lost their manager, captain and top scorer in the off-season.

Thomas Frank left to take charge of Tottenham, Bryan Mbeumo got his dream move to Manchester United and Arsenal secured Christian Norgaard.

Yoane Wissa was also missing from the Brentford squad ahead of an expected move to Newcastle.

Igor Thiago's first goal for the club from the penalty spot late on was the only consolation for the visitors.

"I do have genuine belief but we have to take responsibility for a first half that wasn't good enough," said Andrews.

W.Cheng--ThChM