Crystal Palace, Player of the Match winner Chris Richards ’embraced a tricky sport’ in draw at Chelsea

USMNT heart again Chris Richards and his Premier League membership Crystal Palace are off to a robust begin to this season, including to final week’s Community Shield triumph with a 0-0 draw at Chelsea on Sunday.

Richards was named Player of the Match within the draw, nothing new for one of many Eagles’ stars throughout final season’s drive to the FA Cup.

The 25-year-old is about for a heavy workload this season as Palace compete within the Conference League and should must mattress in a brand new again if Marc Guehi skips city earlier than the tip of the switch window.

RECAP, HIGHLIGHTS — Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

But Richards says supervisor Oliver Glasner has imparted grit and focus into this facet, and it’s paying dividens round Selhurst Park.

“We try to block out the outside noise and put in good performances,” Richards mentioned earlier than accepting his POTM award. “I think that’s what we did today. Now we have Europe on Thursday and hopefully we can put in a good performance.”

Europe has been a little bit of a possible distraction, as Palace have been ready to see whether or not they’d get the Europa League berth offered by successful the FA Cup or in the event that they’d be dropped to the Conference League following a contentious summer time drama involving the Eagles, Nottingham Forest, UEFA, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Chelsea offered additional cause to give attention to Week 1, because the Club World Cup champs would offer simply as stiff a check as Liverpool delivered within the Community Shield.

“One thing we talked about was embracing a tough game, embracing the toughness Chelsea was going to bring,” Richards mentioned. “It wasn’t perfect but as long as we could complete a clean sheet it would be good.”

Richards mentioned the Eagles will rely a draw as an excellent begin to the season, they usually’ve already received that preseason silverware of their pocket. Now they flip their consideration to Thursday towards Norwegian facet Fredrikstad in a Conference League playoff sport. Then? A flamable affair with Forest on Sunday.

Palace will certainly be up for it.

Chris Richards response video from Palace draw at Chelsea