Burnley 1 Chelsea 3

Last updated : 18 August 2014 By Paul Lagan

Diego Costa scored the opening goal of Chelsea's season which saw them overpower plucky Burnley tonight at Turf Moor, as the Londoners came from behind to win 3-1 and go top of the Premier League.

Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Thiabaut Courtois all made their first league starts for Chelsea, as the reshaped side from last season recovered from the shock of going behind to a 14th minute strike from Scott Arfield after Chelsea's defence failed to deal with the first corner of the game.

But that lead was kept for just four minutes as Costa levelled the match. A shot by Branislav Ivanovic, took a deflection before rebounding off the post and into the path of the Brazilian-born Spain striker who tucked home from seven yards.

Another four minutes of Chelsea dominance saw the Blues take the lead.

World Cup winner Andre Schurrle, who was set up by Fabregas struck from close range as the away side looked to run riot.

Chelsea laid down a marker for the rest of the title contenders that they mean serious business when, with 12 minutes from the break right-back Branislav Ivanovic volleyed in from close range after Fabregas's corner.

The Blues decided to shut up shop, defend when required and saw out the remaining minutes of the half and all of the second.

A cameo substitution from Didier Drogba marking his return to Stamford Bridge, gave the 3,800 travelling Chelsea fans something extra to shout about as three points were secured.

The use of Drogba ahead of £50m Fernando Torres will test Torres's resolve. If Mourinho wants the Spain striker out of the Bridge to allow him to bring in a striker more suited to his needs, then this decision might be seen by Torres as a statement of intent by Mourinho.

The use of Courtois ahead of experienced Petr Cech shows that Mourinho will not allow sentiment to cloud his professional judgement.

Cech, like Torres faces a difficult decision – he will find a top-class club should he decided that he want to leave, but he is also canny enough to know that he will find success more easily at the Bridge.

Next up for Chelsea is a home match against another new boy Leicester City on Saturday.

Chelsea will have had two less days to prepare and recover from this opening fixture. That may impact on Mourinho's decision-making

Teams: Chelsea Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Schurrle, Oscar, HazardDiego Costa.

Subs: Cech, ZoumaFilipe Luis, Mikel, Willian, Torres, Drogba.  

Burnley: Heaton; Trippier, Shackell (c), Duff, Mee; Arfield, Jones, Marney, Taylor; Ings; Jutkiewicz.

Subs: Gilks, Dummigan, Long, Wallace, Kightly, Sordell, Barnes.