Premiership: Chelsea 2 - 1 Charlton

Not many clubs can afford to own two world-class left-backs. On this evidence, Wayne Bridge was unlucky to find himself replaced after a rampaging display so that Ashley Cole could get a feel of his new surroundings. Cole was one of six new faces (his has been superimposed into the official team photo already) given an outing and all showed encouraging touches. Even if Jose Mourinho is still figuring out the best way to accommodate his 2006-2007 vintage, they were dangerous enough to master a Charlton side who barely showed up in the first half but fought more robustly after the break.

After 18 months trying to get to Chelsea, Cole's patience was not rewarded with an immediate start. So forcefully has Bridge been playing that Cole began life at Stamford Bridge on the bench, begging the question as to whether there was time to insert a new chapter in his book of hard-luck stories. Competition for a shirt is a new concept for Cole, who was, up until this season, a guaranteed selection at Arsenal when fit.

It was Bridge whose enthusiasm got Chelsea on their way. His marauding run and cross to Andriy Shevchenko panicked Charlton's defence. From the resulting corner Chelsea took the lead as Ballack's header was shuffled off the line by Bryan Hughes, and Didier Drogba instinctively gobbled up the rebound.

It could have been two shortly after when Shaun Wright-Phillips burst up the right and Drogba latched onto more hesitant defending. This time Scott Carson was able to smother.

Shevchenko's movement was outstanding, pulling Charlton's back four all over the place. The way he creates space for his team-mates looks as valuable an asset as his killer instinct. Such class stands out even in Chelsea's line-up. So too Ballack, whose fine long-range efforts also impressed his new admirers.

Chelsea confirmed their superiority as Drogba, Lampard and Shevchenko threatened a goalfest. A narrow scoreline it might have been but by half time it was hard to conclude Charlton provided anything more than shooting practice.

They were one of the few teams to leave Stamford Bridge last season undefeated, and also earned their scalp in the Carling Cup. But there was a suspicion they may not be as resilient this time around from the moment debutant defender Souleymane Diawara took the field on a baking afternoon wearing wolly gloves.

Chelsea's dominance continued after the break, but out of the blue the game was transformed from an afternoon stroll to a genuine contest. Dennis Rommedahl's pass was completely misread by Ricardo Carvalho, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink seized the moment to steer into the far corner of Petr Cech's net. Iain Dowie couldn't believe his luck to be back in a game which should have been long gone. Such was Chelsea's confidence that they would come back that their fans generously chanted for their old favourite 'Jimbo'.

Time for two new signings. Mourinho introduced Salomon Kalou and Cole. Oddly, the two sacrificed had been Chelsea's most creative performers. No matter. The art of the set piece came to Chelsea's rescue as Carvalho's header diverted off Amdy Faye and Carson was beaten.

Charlton made a courageous attempt to claw Chelsea back again, and thought they had made the breakthrough only for Marcus Bent's swivelling shot to be ruled out by referee Alan Wiley.

Chelsea could have made sure when Kalou was impeded by Talal El Karkouri, but Frank Lampard's penalty was parried superbly by Carson. That is three out of four spot kicks missed by Lampard.