Chelsea player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Trio get 5/10 as sluggish Blues get away with it

It was an afternoon of frustration for Chelsea as they were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace. Enzo Maresca's side dominated the second half but couldn't find a way through against their stubborn visitors, with Marc Cucurella, Trevor Chalobah, Estevao, and Liam Delap among those to miss chances.

The Italian cut a frustrated figure during the second half. However, the hosts were also grateful for a VAR check after Eberechi Eze's free-kick was ruled out, with Marc Guehi was adjudged to have infringed as the forward struck his shot. It means vital dropped points for the Blues just one game into the Premier League season.

Express Sport rates the Chelsea players...

Robert Sanchez 5: For how long is Enzo Maresca going to persist with his No.1? Out of position early on when Eberechi Eze tried his luck from long range, and extremely lucky when the same player then had a free-kick goal disallowed. Distribution poor and continues to fail to convince.

Reece James 6: Looked off the pace in the first half especially. Was already on a booking when he fouled Eze with a mistimed tackle but stayed on the field.

Josh Acheampong 9: A statement display from the teenager. Made one excellent sliding challenge to deny Daniel Munoz and looked assured when dribbling the ball out of defence. Chelsea have found a star.

Trevoh Chalobah 6: Spurned a good first-half chance as he fluffed his lines from eight yards out. Solid enough at the back but outshone by Acheampong.

Marc Cucurella 5: Offered himself in attack but erratic as usual. Summed up by one moment when he took a throw-in, only to chuck the ball straight out of play for a goal kick.

Enzo Fernandez 6: Tried to get on the ball but couldn't exert any proper influence. Looked annoyed when taken off before the final whistle.

Moises Caicedo 8: Picked up where he left off from last season. Cut out a number of Palace attacks and drove forward well. One surging second-half run was halted by a cynical foul by Will Hughes.

Pedro Neto 5: Struggled for impact, and badly mistimed a header from six yards out with the goal gaping.

Cole Palmer 6: Showed quality on the ball as ever but not most of his work was done from deep and not in the danger zone. Wasted one free-kick chance, firing straight into the wall.

Jamie Gittens 6: Started off well and showed flashes of threat down the right, with his cross leading to the Chalobah chance. But faded after half-time and was replaced before the hour mark.

Joao Pedro 7: Lively and his movement was good. Also showed his prowess in the air but was closely watched by Marc Guehi and never got the clear chance he needed.

Subs:

Estavao (for Gittens, 54) 6: Replaced Gittens to a huge ovation and made an instant impact with a mazy run. But blasted two golden chances over despite plenty to suggest he'll become a star at Stamford Bridge.

Liam Delap (for Joao Pedro, 73) 6: Offered a presence after coming on, but when he had a clear shooting chance scuffed it straight at Dean Henderson.

Malo Gusto (for Reece James, 79) 6: A strange defensive change as Chelsea pressed and he added little going forward.

Andrey Santos (for Enzo Fernandez, 79) 6: Thrown on late but bar a few nice touches, no significant impact.