CHELSEA HAVE DROPPED points on the opening day of the Premier League season for the first time in a decade, as they drew 0-0 with Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.
Andre Villas Boas will have been disappointed not to win his first competitive game in charge of the Blues, while Stoke were marshalled by a brilliant defensive performance by Jonathan Woodgate.
Fernando Torres started for the visitors and was busy throughout, with Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka both named on the bench.
The Spaniard had minimal chances to score, however, with Chelsea going closest through two efforts from Florent Malouda and an Anelka shot that was tipped on to the crossbar by the impressive Asmir Begovic.
Stoke may not have offered much up front and Tony Pulis will have been concerned by injuries to both Matthew Etherington and Rory Delap, but a point against Chelsea represents a fine start for the Premier League bruisers.
The result means that only two teams, Bolton and Wolves, have recorded wins so far on the opening weekend of the new season.
