The England international tried his hardest to inspire Enzo Maresca's side to another victory, but Eberechi Eze's strike earned the visitors a point

Chelsea produced arguably their best 45 minutes yet under Enzo Maresca on Sunday, but were unable to beat Crystal Palace after being pegged back in the second half to draw 1-1.

Maresca's side started on the front foot, and after Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke both went close to opening the scoring, Nicolas Jackson broke the deadlock when he finished off a superb team move in the 25th minute.

The Blues continued to go in search of a second goal and Palmer saw a free-kick wonderfully tipped behind by Dean Henderson after the restart. Maresca will quickly learn that in the Premier League, missed chances can be punished, and so it proved when Eberechi Eze scored a brilliant equaliser from outside the area with only Palace's second shot on target.

Eze's goal breathed new life into the visitors and a Malo Gusto block in the 67th minute denied the England international a glorious opportunity to put Oliver Glasner's side ahead. Maresca reacted by introducing Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku in the second half, but the attacking trio were unable to inspire a winner, with Jackson missing two chances to score in injury-time.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge...

Goalkeeper & Defence

Robert Sanchez (6/10):

Didn't have much to do due in the first half and little he could do about Eze's fine goal.

Malo Gusto (6/10):

Produced a goal-saving block from Eze in the 67th minute, but was forced off moments later with a hamstring injury. With James also out, Maresca will hope it's not too serious.

Wesley Fofana (6/10):

Kept Mateta quiet with an assured display at the back. Starting to build a solid partnership alongside Colwill.

Levi Colwill (7/10):

Played a hugely influential role in Chelsea's first goal, winning the ball back before springing Madueke free down the right with a quick pass.

Marc Cucurella (5/10):

Didn't get forward too often as Chelsea focused on working the ball down the right. Starred for Spain at Euro 2024, but not quite as effective for the Blues.

Midfield

Moises Caicedo (7/10):

This is the Caicedo that Chelsea paid £115 million for! The 22-year-old was indomitable in the middle of the pitch, winning five tackles and recording three interceptions.

Enzo Fernandez (6/10):

Caicedo's defensive efforts allowed Fernandez to push forward, and he nearly set up Madueke in the first half with a wonderful lofted pass. A fine performance from the Argentinian.

Attack

Noni Madueke (6/10):

His driving run led to Chelsea's opener and he will regret not getting on the scoresheet himself after missing a couple of chances. Looked so dangerous in the first half, but tired in the second.

Cole Palmer (7/10):

Another fine performance from Chelsea's star man, who set up Jackson's goal. He's so adept at finding pockets of space to influence the game. Unlucky not to score himself, forcing a fine save from Henderson.

Pedro Neto (4/10):

Struggled as Chelsea focused much of their attack down the right, and could've done with more support from Cucurella. Lasted 58 minutes before being taken off.

Nicolas Jackson (6/10):

Scored his second goal of the season and worked hard throughout, but received a silly booking for delaying the game. Will rue two missed chances to score a winner in injury-time.

Subs & Manager

Joao Felix (5/10):

Didn't influence the game as much as he would have liked after being given more than 30 minutes. Scuffed a shot in injury-time.

Mykhailo Mudryk (6/10):

Looked bright after coming on. Faces plenty of competition for minutes, but he will stay in the mix with cameos like this.

Christopher Nkunku (5/10):

Couldn't sort his feet out when he found himself in a dangerous position late on.

Enzo Maresca (6/10):

The Italian will have been left very encouraged by Chelsea's first-half display, but they failed to re-assert themselves after Palace's equaliser. Cause for optimism, for sure, but Maresca needs to find a way to keep it up for 90 minutes on a consistent basis.