Didier Drogba scored twice, the winner arriving in injury time, as Chelsea came from behind to defeat Hull 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
The Ivory Coast international chipped Tigers keeper Boaz Myhill from a tight angle in the 92nd minute for the Blues first three points of the new campaign.
Hull shocked their hosts taking a surprise lead on 28 minutes through new signing Stephen Hunt.
Drogba equalised seven minutes later with a dipping 20-yard free-kick.
Chelsea continued to press in the second half and were rewarded with late winner to finally suppress a stubborn Hull display and give new Blues chief Carlo Ancelotti a winning start.
Drogba admitted his injury time strike was fortunate.
"I was trying to cross," he conceded on Sky Sports 1, as he reflected on his unlikely chip over goalkeeper Boaz Myhill into the corner of the net.
"We had a difficult second half. We could have scored a lot of goals today - but we were unlucky," he said.
"It was difficult but it's always good to win the first game.
"The belief is strong, as always. Today we showed we will try till the end of the game. We were lucky to score, but the desire is always there."
