Chelsea's five most memorable opening day matches
Diego Costa celebrating scoring on the opening day in 2014 (Photo by Mark Leech/Getty Images)
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When it comes to the Premier League opening day, Chelsea pose one of the strongest records in the league, having won 20 out of a possible 32 season openers.

After the league was founded in 1992, the West Londoners' early record on the opening day was a poor one, with just two wins in the first eight seasons.

However, since the turn of the century, the Blues have only lost twice when they were surprisingly defeated 3-2 by Burnley in 2017 before being thrashed 4-0 away to Manchester United two years later.

Aside from that though, starting the season with three points has been a common sight for Chelsea fans. Although they started last year with a 1-1 stalemate against Liverpool, the Blues are unbeaten in the last four season openers.

However, that record will certainly be under threat when Manchester City arrive in West London on Sunday. Ahead of the game, here is a look at five of Chelsea's most memorable opening day matches:

Sunday's encounter won't be the first time that Chelsea and Manchester City have locked horns on the opening day as the two met at the start of the 2006/07 season. Of course, it only seemed right to start with this fixture.

Nowadays, people regard the Citizens as one of the powerhouses of world football. However, 18 years ago, this was not the case with local rivals Manchester United being the ones dominating football in the north of England.

For Chelsea, meanwhile, the Blues were heading into their third season under Jose Mourinho and coming off the back of winning back-to-back Premier League titles. Mourinho's men had their sights set on landing an unprecedented third successive title.

The West Londoners got off to a flying start and broke the deadlock on 11 minutes when Arjen Robben's free-kick was nodded home by captain John Terry. It soon got even better for Chelsea as 15 minutes later, a deflected Frank Lampard strike made it 2-0.

Midway through the second half, City were reduced to ten men following a rash challenge on Michael Essien by Bernardo Corradi, who was shown a second yellow card. A bullet header from Didier Drogba on 78 minutes capped off a fine afternoon's display from Chelsea.

Despite the perfect start, Chelsea would be pipped to the title by Manchester United, who won the league for the first time in four years. However, Mourinho still managed to lead the Blues to a domestic cup double.

  • 2014/15: Burnley 1-3 Chelsea

In June 2013, it was announced that Jose Mourinho would return to the Blues for a second spell in charge of the club after departing Real Madrid. His first season back in the Stamford Bridge hot-seat was promising but ultimately ended in disappointment.

Having finished 3rd in the Premier League and narrowly missing out on the title by four points, 'The Special One' was determined to ensure the Premier League crown would return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2010.

The Blues would begin the 2014/15 campaign with a trip to Turf Moor to take on newly-promoted Burnley. Mourinho handed debuts to new signings Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, who both proved to be a huge success for Chelsea.

A Monday night under the lights was the perfect way to start the new season. However, it wasn't to be the perfect start for Chelsea as with just 14 minutes on the clock, a stunner from Scott Arfield sent the home fans into raptures.

But, that joy lasted just three minutes as the West Londoners provided an instant response. A cross from Branislav Ivanovic struck the post, with Costa in the right place at the right time to fire home and score his first goal in Chelsea colours.

It got even better for the Blues four minutes later when Ivanovic picked out Fabregas on the edge of the area, who played a delightful pass into the path of Andre Schurrle with the German World Cup winner providing the finishing touch to a sublime team goal.

Chelsea made it 3-1 on 34 minutes through Serbian full-back Ivanovic to conclude an entertaining first half of football. The victory would be the start of a sensational campaign that saw the Blues top the table from start to finish.

From one title-winning season to another, the 2016/17 campaign was an iconic one for a number of reasons. The main one being Chelsea picking up a sensational 13 consecutive wins on their way to a fifth Premier League title.

It is safe to say that the prior season was a disaster for the Blues, finishing in 10th and recording the worst Premier League title defence. However, the managerial appointment of charismatic Italian Antonio Conte gave Chelsea fans plenty of hope and optimism that this would be the start of something special.

Just like two seasons ago, the Blues kicked off their campaign on a Monday night against a side in claret and blue. However, on this occasion, that side was West Ham.

Following a goalless first half in which Chelsea dominated, the Blues had an opportunity to open the scoring from the penalty spot early in the second half. Eden Hazard stepped up and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

However, the Hammers levelled with 13 minutes to go through experienced defender James Collins, who fired home. When it looked like the Blues would be dropping two points on the opening day, Diego Costa had other ideas.

New signing Michy Batshuayi headed the ball into the path of the Spaniard, who took a touch, before slotting the ball into the bottom corner from 20-yards, sparking scenes of jubilation amongst the home crowd.

Following a successful first season under Carlo Ancelotti, where Chelsea completed a maiden league and FA Cup double, Blues fans had plenty to be excited about going into the 2010/11 season.

The West Londoners began the season by welcoming newly-promoted West Brom to Stamford Bridge. The match also saw the return of former player Roberto Di Matteo, who was managing the Baggies.

The home side broke the deadlock after just six minutes when Florent Malouda scored on the rebound from a Didier Drogba free-kick. At the second time of asking late in the first half, Drogba scored a stunning free-kick to double the lead.

After the restart, the Ivorian forward netted his second after bundling the ball home following a scramble inside the six-yard box. Frank Lampard then made it four not long later with a calm and composed finish.

However, the Blues weren't done there as five minutes later, Drogba completed his hat-trick with a powerful drive before Malouda wrapped up the win in the closing stages to secure an emphatic 6-0 win.

2012 was no doubt a special year to be a Chelsea supporter, as the club won the Champions League for the very first time as well as the FA Cup.

However, that year would also see the emergence of a certain Belgian star in Eden Hazard. The 21-year-old joined the Blues in the summer transfer window from LOSC Lille for a fee of £32m.

The Belgian would become an icon at Stamford Bridge but a visit to Wigan Athletic on the opening day of the 2012/13 season was where it all began at Chelsea for Hazard.

It took Hazard just two minutes to make his mark in a Chelsea shirt when he turned past Tics defender Ivan Ramis before sliding through Branislav Ivanovic, who rolled the ball home for 1-0.

The winger was involved again just five minutes later after making his way into the penalty area before being brought down by Ramis. Frank Lampard converted the resulting penalty as Chelsea won 2-0.

However, the afternoon belonged to Eden Hazard and everyone knows what happened from that point onwards.