Mourinho bites tongue over Courtois red card

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.

Everything changed within 10 minutes of the restart, though, when Courtois was dismissed for felling Bafetimbi Gomis as the France striker burst into the area on the break.

“To play 35 minutes with one player less in the first game of the season when our condition and sharpness is not at the top is even more hard so, under the circumstances, I have nothing to say against my players”, he said.

Oscar broke the deadlock with a free kick from the left which eluded the waiting Chelsea and Swansea players alike before unexpectedly landing in the far corner of the Swansea net.

“So I thought we were excellent”.

Courtois produced an outstanding save down to his right to keep out Gomis’ downward header, but Ayew showed great composure and skill to drag the ball back before firing home from close range after his initial follow-up effort was blocked by Cahill. Fullback Matteo Darmain, along with midfielders Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay all made convincing debuts and Romero improved after some early signs of nerves.

“The first time you play at Old Trafford is always hard, but I liked the performance, especially of Darmian”, United manager Van Gaal, who was celebrating his 64th birthday, told BT Sport. It is only the first game but it is not an ideal start. Gomis calmly steered the resulting penalty past Begovic.

Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher found the net for Sunderland in the second half, but a smart strike by Albrighton kept Leicester in control.

Watford, promoted along with Bournemouth at the end of last season, was twice in front against Everton before having to settle for a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

Lukasz Fabianski kept out Eden Hazard’s effort at his near post before Radamel Falcao came on as a late substitute but neither side could come up with a victor, with Chelsea at least ensuring no team has ever lost its first game of a Premier League season as reigning champion.

The other South Korean in the league, Lee Chung-yong of Crystal Palace, watched from the bench as his club defeated Norwich City 3-1.

The manager was last week forced to defend the club’s approach which stands in contrast to the approach of Manchester City and Manchester United who have invested heavily in their squads.