LONDON (AP) Ten-man Chelsea had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Swansea after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was sent off in the first match of its English Premier League title defense at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
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 after 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.
Reserve keeper Asmir Begovic came on for Oscar but had no chance against Gomis' well-struck spot kick to make it 2-2.
Both sides looked for a third goal in the closing stages, but Swansea keeper Lukasz Fabianski punched clear a series of high balls into the box, while Chelsea defenders limited the threat from Gomis and Jonjo Shelvey.
Though Chelsea might feel unlucky to have only a point to show for its opening match, there was more than a touch of fortune about the team's goals.
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.
Ayew equalized six minutes later when he reacted quickest to a loose ball in the area after Courtois did well to parry Gomis' powerful header.
However, the visitors' feelgood factor lasted little more than a minute as Chelsea regained the lead with something of a freak goal.
Swansea defender Fernandez stuck out a leg to try and block Willian's cross from outside the area on the left flank. But instead of the ball being turned harmlessly away for a corner, it looped high into the air, over the helpless Fabianski and into the far corner.
Swansea clearly needed a way back into the game, and it was duly handed to the visitors when Shelvey sent a long ball forward. Gomis sprinted through, only to be clattered by Courtois just as he broke into the penalty area.
Denying a scoring chance as the last player meant a red card for the Chelsea keeper, although his captain John Terry was booked for protesting. Gomis calmly steered the resulting penalty past Begovic.
Swansea did not stop there and Jefferson Montero forced Begovic into two fine saves, before Shelvey tried his luck direct from a corner.
Gomis thought he scored a second goal in the 68th but was clearly offside when he moved in to steer home Neil Taylor's inviting low cross from the left side.
Despite the momentum being with Swansea, Chelsea still pushed forward - with Eden Hazard making a series penetrating runs toward the end as the hosts looked in vain for a winner.
