Reigning Premier League champions Chelsea started their title defence with a dramatic draw at home to Swansea City.

Jose Mourinho's Blues twice gave up the lead while losing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to a red card in a below par beginning to their campaign.

Chelsea went ahead in the 23rd minute when Oscar whipped in a free-kick from the left which evaded everybody in the area and bounced home past Lukasz Fabianski before Swans debutant Andre Ayew showed great composure to fire home from close range at the second time of asking after his initial effort had been blocked following Courtois' brilliant save to deny Bafetimi Gomis' header.

The West Londoners then found themselves ahead again on the half-hour mark when Willian's cross from the left took a wicked deflection off Federico Fernandez and in over Fabianski before there was massive drama at Stamford Bridge.

Courtois race out to collect a clever ball from Jonjo Shelvey but Gomis got there first and the Belgian was sent off for bringing down the French striker only inches inside the area. Asmir Begovic came on for his Chelsea debut, with Oscar making way, but could do little to keep out the spot kick from Gomis which sent the Bosnian the wrong way.

Gomis then had a goal correctly disallowed for offside as the Swans came within centimetres of securing a first-ever win over Chelsea away from home.

MATCH OVERVIEW

Chelsea: 2 (Oscar 23', Federico Fernandez (OG) 30', red card: Thibaut Courtois 55')

Swansea City: 2 (Andre Ayew 29', Baftimbi Gomis (pen) 55')

Stamford Bridge, London - 41,232

Debutants: CHE - Asmir Begovic and Radamel Falcao (club)

SWA - Andre Ayew and Eder (league and club)

TALKING POINTS

- Will this result dampen Chelsea's spirits so early in their title defence?

- Are the Blues good enough to overcome the loss of Courtois?

- Can this draw give Swansea plenty of confidence?

WHAT'S NEXT?

Chelsea travel to Manchester City next weekend while Swansea host Newcastle.

TWITTER INSIGHT

2-2 , red card, not the start I expected. Sad to let the team down on that moment. They fought really hard till the end to win this game !
— Thibaut Courtois (@thibautcourtois) August 8, 2015

A decent point for us today, we fought until the end and with a bit of luck could have had all 3 points. Great support by our fans! #CFC
— Asmir Begovic (@asmir1) August 8, 2015