Chelsea came from behind to record a convincing 3-1 victory over newly-promoted Burnley in their opening fixture of the English Premier League at Turf Moor.
Although the hosts surprisingly broke the deadlock through Scott Arfield in the 14th minute, Diego Costa scored the leveller, before strikes from Andre Schurrle and Branislav Ivanovic sealed the game for the Blues.
The game started with the hosts shocking Chelsea by taking an early lead through Arfield. After the visitors failed to clear a corner, Matthew Taylor whipped a cross into the box and a completely unmarked Arfield controlled the ball before smashing it into the top corner of the net well past Thibaut Courtois, who was preferred in goal to Petr Cech.
However, the hosts' joy did not last for long as the Blues came right back into the game, four minutes later, through a strike from Costa.
A good passing movement from the Blues ended with Hazard finding Ivanovic with a clever backheel. The Serbian's low cross took a deflection before hitting the post, with the rebound falling perfectly for Costa, who opened his Premier League account with a powerful effort into the bottom corner of the net.
The Blues, who started asserting their dominance, soon went in front in the 21st minute through a Schurrle goal courtest a brilliant assist from Cesc Fabregas.
Ivanovic sent a cross towards Fabregas and the former Barcelona man sent in a brilliant through ball for Schurrle to tap in from close range.
At the half hour mark, Chelsea appealed for a penalty after Tom Heaton brought down Costa in the box.
The Brazil-born striker chased down a poor back pass from Ben Mee and the goalkeeper had no choice but to make a challenge on Costa. But the referee, instead of awarding the penalty, booked the former Atletico Madrid striker for diving.
The referee's decision to not award the penalty did not seem to dampen Chelsea's spirit, though, as they soon doubled their lead through Ivanovic. The Serbian defender lost his marker and volleyed in a Fabregas corner from close range.
After the break, there was little action from Chelsea as they took their foot off the pedal, choosing to defend their two-goal lead.
Burnley nearly reduced the deficit after Gary Cahill's headed clearance went straight towards Arfield. The Scot fired an effort but his swerving shot was brilliantly kept out by Courtois.
Didier Drogba, who came in place of Eden Hazard in the 84th minute, nearly made a memorable second debut for the Blues as he chased down Courtois' long ball and fired an effort on the volley. However, the Ivoirian's effort swerved wide of the target.
