STARS IN EUROPE - GHANA - CLUB - Ayew helps Swansea hold Chelsea
PREMIER LEAGUE (ENGLAND)
MATCHDAY 01
Chelsea vs Swansea 2:2
Goals Chelsea:
Oscar 23′
Fernandez 30′ (og)
Goals Swansea:
A.Ayew 29′
Gomis 55′ (pen)
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.
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.
England
Ghana