Jose Mourinho faced Manchester United in his first ever competitive Chelsea fixture. He won 1-0, thanks to an Eidur Gudjohnsen first half goal. Jose's second coming will start with a considerably easier proposition: freshly promoted Hull City.
The Barclays Premier League opening day fixtures... #BPLkickoff pic.twitter.com/RgfN9muu4f
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 19, 2013
Incidentally, Carlo Ancelotti started his Double-winning season with the same home fixture in 2009. Didier Drogba's double won the day, canceling out and eventually besting (in the 92nd minute!) Stephen Hunt's opener. Good omens.
The difficulty level ramps up quickly. Chelsea are scheduled for an away trip to Old Trafford on the second weekend. Aston Villa, who barely survived the Premier League last season, are currently up third, but this date (August 31st) will likely change (and get moved up just like last season) due to the UEFA Super Cup.
An away trip to White Hart Lane at the end of September and a home tie with Manchester City at the end of October highlight the fall schedule.
Christmas cheer may be in short supply yet again, as Chelsea have to face Arsenal away (December 21st), ever difficult Swansea City at home (December 26th), Liverpool at home (December 28th), recent bogey team Southampton away (January 1st), and then Manchester United at home (January 18th). Get those "winter is coming" comments ready.
On a brighter note, Chelsea's run-in to the season looks easier than recent years.
Be sure to hop on over to the official Chelsea FC website to check out the schedule list in full. The Premier League's official website meanwhile has the full schedule to satisfy all your inquisitions (good luck, David Moyes).