swansea vs chelsea 2-2

Chelsea had Thibaut Courtois sent off as they started their Premier League title defence with a draw against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.

Oscar's free-kick put the Blues ahead before Andre Ayew stabbed a close-range equaliser after keeper Courtois had kept out Bafetimbi Gomis's header.

Federico Fernandez put Willian's cross past his own keeper before Courtois was sent off after bringing down Gomis.

New signing Asmir Begovic came on but failed to stop Gomis's spot-kick.

Relive Chelsea's frustrating start to their title defence

Swansea played with an extra man for more than half an hour but could not make the most of the advantage.

The dangerous Gomis had the ball in the net but was ruled offside while Jefferson Montero, who was excellent throughout, forced a fine save from Begovic.

Same old Chelsea struggle to sparkle

Much has been made of Chelsea's failure to attract a box-office name from outside the Premier League this summer.

Even Jose Mourinho, who signed a new four-year contract on Friday, has warned of the danger of standing still yet neither of his two main close-season buys started the game.

Chelsea started with a team of familiar faces. In contrast, Aston Villa won at Bournemouth with six new players in their starting line-up while Manchester United had four summer additions in the side that started the 1-0 win over Tottenham

Diego Costa did, despite his manager claiming in the build-up that the forward was a major doubt, but the Spain international rarely looked like scoring, let alone repeating his hat-trick in the corresponding fixture last season.

The champions contributed to a high-tempo, entertaining game but did not look like a side that won the league by eight points last season.

Even before Courtois's dismissal, Swansea had more shots than the hosts and were lively throughout, full of enterprise and in Montero had the best players on the pitch.

Will Mourinho sign anyone before the transfer deadline?

It does not get any easier for Chelsea, with last season's nearest challengers Manchester City next up.

It is no secret that the champions have been trying to strengthen their defence, with Everton's John Stones a target.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says Thibaut Courtois's red card 'changed everything'

There are still another three weeks before the 1 September deadline but, if Chelsea's current defence was trying to persuade Mourinho not to strengthen the back four, they failed.

Ayew, Swansea's new signing from Marseille, took his goal well but the Chelsea players were slow to react after Courtois kept out Gomis's powerful header.

Swansea again impress on the opening day

Swansea finished eighth in the table last season, a campaign which started with a fine 2-1 win at Manchester United.

They managed to do the double over Louis van Gaal's side - as well as Arsenal - and they look as though they will again cause problems for clubs with serious title ambitions.

Garry Monk has brought in four players over the summer, with Andre Ayew looking a shrewd signing after scoring on his first Premier League start for the club.

Yet it was the familiar face of Montero who really impressed at Stamford Bridge, the Ecuadorian winger a constant menace throughout as he teased and tormented Chelsea's defence.

Man of the Match

Jefferson Montero was at the Copa America tournament in Chile for Ecuador during the summer and has not had a full summer's rest since 2011. You would not have known it at Stamford Bridge. The 25-year-old was at his threatening best and used his pace to cause problems. He was also not shy to test Courtois or Begovic.

The stats you need to know

Andre Ayew has scored in eight of his last 14 league game (France and England), including four of his last six.
Swansea held the lead for just 1 minute 35 seconds in this game before Federico Fernandez's own goal.
Oscar has scored three goals in his last 12 Premier League appearances - all coming versus Swansea.
Swansea only received two Premier League penalties in 2014-15.
Thibaut Courtois is third Chelsea keeper to see be sent off in the Premier League after Frode Grodas in 1997 (v Everton) and Petr Cech (v Wigan in 2009)
Courtois' red card was Chelsea's 70th in the Premier League, 17 of which have come under Mourinho (24%).
Bafetimbi Gomis is one of two players (along with Steven Naismith) to have scored v Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City & Man Utd over the last two Premier League seasons.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (5) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)

Chelsea

13 Courtois Dismissed
02 Ivanovic
24 Cahill
26 Terry Booked
28 Azpilicueta
04 Fàbregas (Zouma - 76' )
21 Matic
22 Willian (Falcao - 84' )
08 Oscar (Begovic - 54' )
10 Hazard
19 Diego Costa

Substitutes

01 Begovic
05 Zouma
07 Ramires
09 Falcao
12 Mikel
18 Remy
20 Moses

Swansea City

01 Fabianski
26 Naughton
33 Fernandez
06 Williams Booked
03 Taylor
08 Shelvey Booked
04 Ki Sung-yueng (Cork - 41' Booked )
10 A.Ayew
23 Sigurdsson
20 Montero (Routledge - 71' )
18 Gomis (Éder - 79' )

Substitutes

13 Nordfeldt
14 Tabanou
15 Routledge
17 Éder
22 Rangel
24 Cork
27 Bartley

Ref: Michael Oliver

Att: 41,232

MATCH STATS

Shots

1118

On target

310

Corners

Fouls

1516

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full TimeMatch ends, Chelsea 2, Swansea City 2.

90:00+4:28Full time

Full TimeSecond Half ends, Chelsea 2, Swansea City 2.

90:00+4:13

Foul by Nemanja Matic (Chelsea).

90:00+4:13

Eder (Swansea City) wins a free kick on the left wing.

90:00+3:38

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

90:00+2:58

Delay in match Eden Hazard (Chelsea) because of an injury.

90:00+2:35Booking

BookingAshley Williams (Swansea City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

90:00+2:31

Eden Hazard (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

90:00+2:31

Foul by Ashley Williams (Swansea City).

90:00+1:51

Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by Nemanja Matic.

90:00+0:26

Foul by John Terry (Chelsea).

90:00+0:26

Jack Cork (Swansea City) wins a free kick on the right wing.