Chelsea’s English Premier League title defense began with a red card for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and a 2-2 draw at home to Swansea City on a frustrating opening day at Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho’s side twice had the lead, but paid the price for Courtois’ rash challenge on Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis as the France international raced through on the counterattack.
Referee Michael Oliver had no hesitation in producing a straight red card and pointing to the spot, allowing Gomis to beat substitute goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from the spot to make it 2-2.
Photo: Reuters
Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City beat Sunderland 4-2, while Crystal Palace earned a controversial 3-1 win at Norwich City.
There was no fairytale start to AFC Bournemouth’s first ever season in the top flight, as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa at their 11,700-capacity seaside stadium.
Watford, promoted along with Bournemouth, were twice in front against Everton before having to settle for a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
The biggest game of the day was saved for last, though, as Chelsea came out for what was expected to be a routine victory in west London.
In a hectic spell midway through the first half, Oscar put the hosts ahead in the 23rd minute, Andre Ayew leveled in the 29th, and Chelsea’s lead was restored with an own-goal by Swansea defender Federico Fernandez.
However, everything changed within 10 minutes of the restart when Courtois felled Gomis as the France striker burst into the area on the break.
Gomis easily converted the penalty in the 55th minute and had the ball in the back of the Blues’ net in the 68th, but the strike was ruled out for offside.
Mourinho would not be drawn on the sending off, saying only that “after that, everything is different.”
“We played very well in the first half, the game was under control and the players were playing with more and more confidence,” he said. “To play 35 minutes with one player less in the first match of the season, where the condition and the sharpness is not at the top, is even more difficult.”
Swansea coach Garry Monk was clearly delighted with his side.
“We were magnificent. Everyone contributed for 90 minutes,” he said.
Former Chelsea coach Ranieri made an ideal start to his return to the Premier League after an 11-year absence.
Jamie Vardy struck first for Leicester with a header after 11 minutes, and Riyad Mahrez scored in the 18th and from the penalty spot in the 25th minute. Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher grabbed second-half goals for Sunderland, while Marc Albrighton got Leicester’s fourth to seal the points.
Nothing went right for Norwich, who had a potential equalizer disallowed in what became a heavy home defeat.
Substitute Cameron Jerome thought he had made it 2-2 when he stretched his boot up for an acrobatic overhead shot that flew into the net in the 74th minute — only for referee Simon Hooper to whistle for his foot being too high.
Norwich also appealed for a penalty when Sebastien Bassong was pushed over by Connor Wickham in the area in the 89th minute.
New signing Yohan Cabaye netted Palace’s third in a counterattack in stoppage-time.
“Unfortunately, we did not get the rub of the green today,” Norwich coach Alex Neil said.
Wilfried Zaha and Damien Delaney gave Palace a 2-0 lead before Nathan Redmond pulled a goal back in the 69th minute.
Bournemouth’s much-awaited game at Vitality Stadium was decided by Villa substitute Rudy Gestede’s header in the 72nd minute for last season’s FA Cup finalists.
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