Why was Eberechi Eze’s thumping free-kick disallowed against Chelsea?

Here’s why Eberechi Eze’s goal didn’t count:

Jamie Braidwood17 August 2025 14:57

Nottingham Forest surge into 3-0 lead

Flying, though, are Nottingham Forest – a second for Chris Wood and debut goal from Dan Ndoye arrived in the minutes before half time to leave them virtually home and hosed at the interval.

Worrying signs for new Brentford boss Keith Andrews after a tricky summer in west London.

Harry Latham-Coyle17 August 2025 14:55

HT: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

A first half dominated by one incident, really, Eberechi Eze rifling a free kick through Robert Sanchez only to see it chalked off by VAR. Marc Guehi’s barge on Moises Caicedo was legal; his straying to within touching distance of the Chelsea wall was not.

Some bright enough stuff from both teams and chances at either end suggest another breakthrough may well be to come. For now, though, we remain goalless.

Harry Latham-Coyle17 August 2025 14:53

HALF TIME: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace(Getty Images)

Harry Latham-Coyle17 August 2025 14:50

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace, 45 + 3 minutes

Marc Cucurella slices one comfortably over the crossbar after a stoppage-time Chelsea attack.

Crystal Palace venture forward soon after, with a hurl into the box causing a spot of chaos and carnage after Robert Sanchez comes and fails to punch away. Sanchez just about gets enough of the ball with his swing, which largely connected with the head of Marc Guehi.

Harry Latham-Coyle17 August 2025 14:50

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace, 45 + 2 minutes

That’s not Jean-Philippe Mateta’s best work, either. The Frenchman initially does really well to nimbly move between two Chelsea defenders and present himself a passing opportunity to Eberechi Eze, though he dramatically overhits his through ball.

Harry Latham-Coyle17 August 2025 14:47

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace, 45 minutes

Into four additional minutes at the end of the half. They are greeted by a woeful cross from Tyrick Mitchell.

Harry Latham-Coyle17 August 2025 14:46

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace, 43 minutes

Neto is then furious with the firmness of the Stamford Bridge surface, a diagonal hopping over his head even with a healthy spring from the Portuguese to try and corral it and keep it in play. It can be tough being vertically-challenged.

Harry Latham-Coyle17 August 2025 14:44

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace, 41 minutes

Pedro Neto is frustrated when a free kick isn’t awarded his way after an apparent Crystal Palace foul, but the Chelsea winger channels his anger well, scuttling back to dispossess Tyrick Mitchell.

Harry Latham-Coyle17 August 2025 14:42

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace, 38 minutes

Having already been shown yellow, Reece James needs to be careful. A deft bit of ballroom from Eberechi Eze sends his dance partner one way as he goes the other, and James can’t help but clip the Crystal Palace man’s heels after being beaten. A final warning, it would appear.

Harry Latham-Coyle17 August 2025 14:40