The reaction round-up from Palace's point at Chelsea

First-team

18 Aug 2025

Our round-up of the reaction from Sunday's 0-0 draw at Chelsea – as Crystal Palace began the new Premier League season with a well-earned point at Stamford Bridge.

Oliver Glasner, speaking to Palace TV:

"First of all, it's a very good point here. I always say we want to progress.

"Last year we had a disallowed free-kick (at Brentford) and we lost. This year we had a disallowed free-kick and we drew, so I think it's progress in the first game!

"We had a big chance in the first-half with JP (Mateta). Then in the second-half we had two or three situations where we didn't take the right decision, or it took us too long to find the right player.

"We played the Club World Champions, a very good side and the players did really well. I'm pleased with the start to the season."

Maxence Lacroix, speaking to MIGU:

"I'm satisfied with the clean sheet, of course. The result as well, because it's always difficult to come here. They are world champions, they won against PSG 3-0 in the final.

"And we can look at stages or we can look at the whole game, either way it was not bad. We are not unhappy with the result. We work hard, we have good footballers... I think it's a good mix.

"We won the FA Cup. We also won against Liverpool at the Community Shield. I think we can also dream of winning the UEFA Conference League."

Chris Richards, speaking to Sky Sports:

"We've seen Chelsea throughout the last season and in pre-season, also at the Club World Cup, they have a very dangerous attack.

"So we knew that if we could alleviate them scoring goals, we would have a good chance. You know a draw is still a good point regardless.

"It's a good way to start the season and I think we can move forward with this performance in the second half.

"One thing we talked about before the game was embracing the toughness that Chelsea are going to bring. It wasn't going to perfect, but as long as we could keep a clean sheet, that's number one for us."

Chris speaks on solid performance against Chelsea

BBC Sport pundit and former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, speaking on Match of the Day:

"The togetherness at the back. If we go through the three fixtures, the FA Cup final against City, the Community Shield and then today at the World Champions, this back three are solid.

"Oliver Glasner has them so well marshalled, the communication is there. The closer they (Chelsea) get to goal, the more Palace bunch up.

"I have to highlight Mateta, I thought he was excellent. Obviously, he can hold the ball up, but defensively it was an 11-man job."

Oliver Glasner, speaking to Match of the Day:

"A draw is okay for both teams. We scored a goal that was disallowed, one that is not always disallowed, and had a few chances.

"But Chelsea had two or three chances as well, so I'm pleased in the performance.

"When the ball was played forward we tried to score and we deserved this point so we are going back to Selhurst with a good feeling."

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, speaking to BBC Sport:

"It was a tough game, we expected a tough game. Apart from the first half free-kick, we didn't concede any chances but they are a very good team.

"We could have counter attacked better, we could have defended better but it is only the first game of the season.

"They played about eight games, we played just two so we tried our best. We didn't lose a clean sheet."

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