Independent
European champions Chelsea opened their Premier League campaign with a routine 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, who were woeful in Patrick Viera’s first game in charge.
Marcos Alonso curled in a sublime opener from a direct free kick in the 27th minute before Christian Pulisic turned in a rebound from close range to double Chelsea’s lead before half time.
Crystal Palace did not threaten in the first half with Edouard Mendy untroubled and Trevoh Chalobah scored a stunning goal on his Premier League debut to add a third for the hosts before the hour, just as Viera’s side were starting to grow into the game.
Chelsea will face a trip to rivals Arsenal in their next match while Crystal Palace also face a London derby against newly-promoted Brentford.
Here are five things we learned
Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge with new swagger to launch title bid
Chelsea produced a performance worthy of European champions as they opened their Premier League campaign with a comfortable win against Crystal Palace. Now, like it was for Liverpool after winning the Champions League in 2019, Thomas Tuchel’s side look like they have the confidence and belief to mount a serious title challenge.
The signing of Romelu Lukaku only strengthens that idea and the thought of the Belgian striker at the head of this team is a frightening prospect for the rest of the league. Chelsea were not challenged at all by Palace at Stamford Bridge and the Blues played the majority of the second half with their feet up, but their defensive solidity and strength in midfield were apparent here.
So too was the movement of their attackers, even if the finishing touch was not always there. But Lukaku is set to provide that, and he will only benefit from the runs of a confident-looking Timo Werner and the interplay of Mason Mount. Christian Pulisic opened his account for the season, which was just what the American needed due to the competition for places at Stamford Bridge.
After winning the Super Cup after 120 minutes in midweek, a routine win was just what was required for the Blues on the opening weekend of the league season, especially with the run of games they have to come. Matches against Arsenal and Liverpool will come before the first international break of the season and with Lukaku yet to come into this side, Chelsea look in good shape for an early run.
New-look Crystal Palace disappoint in Viera’s first match
After four seasons of Roy Hodgson and a summer of upheaval, Patrick Viera’s first match in charge of Crystal Palace was always going to be a tough assignment – and that’s before you factor in that it was away to the European champions.
However, that should not excuse what was a woeful first performance of the season from the Eagles. Viera’s side were completely outplayed by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and lacked any semblance of creativity or ambition in an insipid showing.
Palace did not have a single shot in the first half as Chelsea took a 2-0 lead into the break, with Wilfried Zaha often cutting an isolated figure. Palace’s star forward had the fewest touches of anyone in the first 45 minutes. It took until the 53rd minute for Palace to play Zaha through on goal, but Antonio Rudiger was on hand to block the sh…
