Palace united despite talk of Eagles flying nest

A week after playing party poopers to Liverpool in the Community Shield, Crystal Palace proved a pain to another of the English Premier League's big boys, holding Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge on Aug 17.

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LONDON -

Much of the focus coming into the match surrounded the future of Palace's coveted jewels, with Eberechi Eze pursued by Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, Adam Wharton drawing interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United, and Marc Guehi attracting admiring glances from the Reds.

All three started the game, with their manager Oliver Glasner hoping that it will not be the last time that happens, with around two weeks till the closure of the transfer window.

Glasner told Sky Sports: "There are a lot of rumours about Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, but they were 100 per cent with this group in Crystal Palace and they have proved that in a big way.

"Eb should have scored a goal today — he had one and it was disallowed.

"He will come tomorrow to the Crystal Palace training ground, Tuesday off, we take Wednesday and I expect him to be back playing for us against Fredrikstad (in a Conference League play-off on Aug 21)."

The Blues had the game's first chance, with Ismaila Sarr clearing Marc Cucurella's header off the line from a Chelsea corner.

On 13 minutes, Eze had the ball in the net after sending a powerful free kick past Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea goal.