CHELSEA began its English Premier League title defense with a red card for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and a 2-2 draw at home to Swansea on a frustrating opening Saturday.

    Jose Mourinho’s men were leading 2-1 at Stamford Bridge when Courtois was sent off for fouling Bafetimbi Gomis right on the edge of his area in the 52nd minute and the French striker scored the equalizer from the spot.

    It was another impressive opening-day display by Garry Monk’s Swansea, which won 2-1 at Manchester United a year ago, and added weight to Mourinho’s prediction that Chelsea will face a fight to retain their title.

    Diego Costa overcame hamstring trouble to start up front for Chelsea and after a bright start by Swansea, the home side went ahead in the 23rd minute when Oscar’s free-kick from wide on the left curled straight in.

    Swansea debutant Andre Ayew equalized six minutes later, finishing smartly after an initial attempt had been blocked, only for Chelsea to regain the lead when Willian’s cross deflected off Federico Fernandez and looped over visiting goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski for a cruel own goal.

    But after Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey had hit the post from a corner, Courtois was sent off for felling Gomis and the former Saint-Etienne frontman beat Asmir Begovic from the spot to equalize.

    The dangerous Jefferson Montero twice tested Begovic and Gomis had a goal disallowed for offside, while Fabianski saved at his near post from Eden Hazard as a pulsating contest drew to a close.

    Earlier, Kyle Walker’s own goal gave Manchester United a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, but Louis van Gaal’s reconfigured team showed plenty of ring rust.

    Walker put through his own net in the 22nd minute, rushing back in an attempt to prevent England team-mate Wayne Rooney taking aim from Ashley Young’s cross and succeeding only in scuffing the ball into his own net.

    United handed competitive debuts to Sergio Romero, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay, while Bastian Schweinsteiger came on in the second half to become the club’s first German player.

    (SD-Agencies)