Battle at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea started the defence of their Barclays Premier League title with a stutter as Thibaut Courtois was sent off in a 2-2 draw at home to Swansea City.

Courtois was shown a straight red card early in the second half for bringing down Bafetimbi Gomis, who beat Asmir Begovic with the resulting penalty to deny the champions three points.

Chelsea had led at half-time courtesy of an Oscar free-kick and a Federico Fernandez own goal either side of a composed finish from Swansea's Andre Ayew on his Barclays Premier League debut.

Gomis had a goal ruled out for offside after his spot-kick, but Swansea had to settle for a point - which was the least they deserved for an impressive display as Jose Mourinho was unable celebrate signing a new four-year deal at Chelsea with a win. Begovic is set to make his first start for Chelsea in their match Manchester City next weekend, with Courtois suspended.

Diego Costa was passed fit to lead the Chelsea line despite concerns over his hamstring, while Ayew was the only Swansea new boy in Garry Monk's XI. Gomis looked poised to open the scoring after 14 minutes when he cut inside Gary Cahill after racing onto Jonjo Shelvey's incisive pass, but John Terry denied him with a crucial last-ditch tackle.

Costa wanted a penalty when he went down under a challenge from Fernandez, but referee Michael Oliver pointed for a corner after the Swansea defender got a touch of the ball.

Chelsea looked dangerous going forward and were in front after 23 minutes when Oscar's free-kick came through a crowded penalty area and found the far corner of the net.

The champions' lead lasted only six minutes, though, as Ayew made an immediate impact in English football. Courtois produced an outstanding save down to his right to keep out Gomis's 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 had been blocked by Cahill.

Swansea had barely finished celebrating when they fell behind for a second time and there was a huge slice of luck for Chelsea, as Willian's attempted cross struck Fernandez and looped over Lukasz Fabianski and inside the far post.

The visitors again responded well as a Shelvey corner hit a post early in the second half and they were back on level terms and with a numerical advantage 10 minutes after the break.

Courtois was sent off after racing out to upend Gomis as he got on the end of another fine Shelvey pass, and the French striker picked himself to send Begovic the wrong way from the spot.

Swansea were now dictating the match and Begovic twice denied Jefferson Montero before Gomis's close-range effort was ruled out for offside.

Fabianski kept out Eden Hazard's strike at his near post before Radamel Falcao came on as a late substitute but neither side could come up with a winner, with Chelsea at least maintaining the record that no team have lost their first match of a Barclays Premier League season as reigning champions.