By Akelo Peter Bishop
The 2025/26 Premier League season burst into life with a tale of two matches: Chelsea’s frustrating 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge and Nottingham Forest’s commanding 3-1 rout of Brentford at the City Ground.
Chelsea and Crystal Palace locked horns in a tense, goalless affair. Enzo Maresca’s Blues dominated the ball but couldn’t crack a stubborn Palace defense.
Early drama saw Eberechi Eze’s curling free-kick ruled out after a VAR check deemed Marc Guehi too close to the wall.
Chelsea pushed late, with Liam Delap’s header narrowly wide and Andrey Santos blazing over in stoppage time.
Oliver Glasner’s Palace, buoyed by Dean Henderson’s match-defining saves, held firm amid whispers of transfer interest in Eze and Guehi by spurs and Liverpool respectively.
Both sides settled for a point, leaving Chelsea to prepare for West Ham on August 22 and Palace for a Europa Conference League clash with Fredrikstad on August 21.
Meanwhile, Europa League side Nottingham Forest roared to a 3-1 victory over Brentford in a one-sided affair played at the City Ground.
Chris Wood picked up from where he left it last season, striking twice—first with a cool finish inside five minutes, then rounding the keeper after the break. Forest’s relentless first half saw them 3-0 up after debutant Dan Ndoye scored his first goal in forest colors, with Brentford unable to muster a single clear chance.
Igor Thiago’s late goal, his first ever in the Premier League, offered Brentford faint consolation, but Keith Andrews’ side looked out of sorts.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s Forest will head to Crystal Palace on August 24, while Brentford face Aston Villa on August 23 for their second matches of the new season.
