Chelsea’s Premier League title defence off to rough start after draw with Swansea City

Mourinho remains largely tight-lipped as Courtois red card leaves champions short-handed in net

Chelsea's Eden Hazard, right, vies for the ball against Swansea City's Jack Cork during their English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in London, England, on August 8, 2015. Facundo ArrizabalagShow more

Chelsea were fortunate not to become the first Premier League champions to start their title defence with loss after Swansea City threatened a first-round upset on Saturday.

A celebratory atmosphere remained around Stamford Bridge as the club basked in the afterglow of last season's success – a feat Jose Mourinho, fresh from signing a new deal, warned would not be repeated unless they showed the "quality and determination of champions".

Chelsea were found wanting in the first department against Garry Monk’s impressive side, although they showed no little determination to secure a 2-2 draw after Thibaut Courtois was sent off.

Things had started well enough for the reigning champions as they got the better of a manic seven-minute, first-half spell, started when Oscar's free kick crept into the far corner.

Debutant Andre Ayew drew Swansea level in style, after a fine touch and unerring finish, only for a Willian cross-shot to then loop in off Federico Fernandez.

Monk’s side did not falter, though, and dominated the second half, deservedly levelling through Bafetimbi Gomis after the striker was taken down in the box by Courtois.

Mourinho would not offer an opinion on the sending off, only on how he saw the match.

“Swansea didn’t have chances against 11,” he said. “The team was playing very, very well in the first half.

“In the second, in one minute, it was a penalty, red card and the goal – 2-2.

“If you have 10 men and are winning you can defend well and try to find a strategy, but to play with 10 men and try to win the game is more difficult.

“I would say we were the best team with 11 players and with 10 we fought hard, some fighting at the limit of their condition.”

Mourinho’s counterpart had his own opinion on the red card.

“It is a goal-scoring opportunity,” Monk said. ”The letter of the law is that it is a red card and we got what we deserved today.

“I thought our performance warranted at least that point. We went for it and showed our attacking prowess.”

Chelsea held on after the goalkeeper’s sending off and had a few chances of their own, but in truth they were lucky to take a point as Swansea continued where they left off last season.

Swansea were first to threaten, with Gomis heading wide and then being denied by a late John Terry block.

Diego Costa was infuriated by Michael Oliver's decision not to award a penalty against Fernandez, before an already entertaining contest burst into life with three goals in seven minutes.

With 23 minutes on the clock, Chelsea struck the first blow as Oscar curled in a free kick that evaded those in the box and nestled in the far corner.

Courtois saved well from Gomis, only for the ball to run free and, having seen his initial follow-up blocked, Ayew showed exceptional awareness to drag the ball back and rifle home.

It was a memorable introduction but one cancelled out inside 100 seconds as Willian’s cross-shot looped in off Fernandez.

Costa and Gylfi Sigurdsson tried their luck as the first half continued, with Gomis denied from close range as Swansea returned strongly after the break.

Gomis, put through on goal by Jonjo Shelvey, was halted by a clumsy Courtois challenge, earning Swansea a penalty and the goalkeeper a red card.

Terry was booked for protesting, and summer signing Asmir Begovic’s first moment in a Chelsea shirt involved him picking the ball out of the net as Gomis coolly slotted home.

Monk’s side did not stop there, and Jefferson Montero forced Begovic into two fine saves before Shelvey tried his luck direct from a corner.

Swansea fans celebrated wildly as Gomis turned in their third – only to be rightly chalked off for offside – before Wayne Routledge, on for the injured Montero, forced another save from Begovic.

After Eden Hazard and Radamel Falcao had gone close Costa punched the ground, having felt the excellent Ashley Williams had clipped him – frustration that summed up Chelsea’s ­afternoon.

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