Dan Levene, GetWestLondon's Chelsea correspondent, noted four key points from the Blues' 2-2 draw with Swansea.
Chelsea will take that point
This wasn't ever expected to be the barnstorming start of last season – but Chelsea were supposed to win.
In the end, they will be happy wit the point, after a performance that showed evidence of a lack of teamwork, and no real readiness for the fight ahead.
The red card for Thibaut Courtois – which brought boos at full time for referee Michael Oliver, but was spot-on – threw Jose Mourinho's tactics into disarray, and in a rare moment caught him between stalls.
Instead of deciding to either chase or defend, he tried a bit of both – and didn't really succeed at either.
Swansea could easily have got a winner, and far far more will be needed next weekend at The Etihad.
Mourinho needs to shore up the right
So busy were people talking about Chelsea's 'crisis' at left back (only one fit man there and he happens to be the best in the league), they forgot the problem at right.
Swansea caused all manner of bother as Blues tried, not entirely successfully, to get the balance right between their two fullbacks.
It was Branislav Ivanovic who got caught out several times here – both a victim of a settling system, but also of a bit of a bad day at the office.
He didn't get much help from others, and there is a key reminder of how much Chelsea's game relies upon the whole side to be well drilled.
Oscar is showing signs of a return to form
Among the many negatives for Chelsea, there was the positive many have been seeking for a while – signs of a return to form for Oscar.
Having been missing in action for about a season and a half, he looked dangerous, committed and hard-working in the first half.
The dismissal of Courtois left Mourinho looking for a luxury to lose – and that was Oscar.
But that was not before two dangerous free kicks from the Brazilian – the second of which found the back of the net.
August will surely see more money spent at Stamford Bridge
Biting his nails up in The Gods, Roman Abramovich surely wondered what demands his post-match meeting with Mourinho might bring.
Certainly wife Dasha, by his side, had a steely face that suggested her chances of getting a new Gustav Klimt for the living room wall may be diminishing by the minute.
But where to buy?
Chelsea looked week in defence, midfield and attack. All against a side who, with no disrespect to Swansea, are not likely to challenge for Champions League qualification.
August may yet be a very long month for the Blues.
