Diego Costa scored twice as Guus Hiddink’s second spell as Chelsea boss started with a draw against Watford.
It could have been more for Hiddink, in charge after Jose Mourinho’s sacking, had Oscar not missed a late penalty.
Spaniard Costa hooked in the opener for the Blues before Nemanja Matic’s handball allowed Troy Deeney to level from the penalty spot.
Odion Ighalo’s deflected shot gave the visitors the lead, only for Costa to fire in and earn Chelsea a point.
The Blues have won just one of their last five Premier League games and are 15th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone.
Watford’s run of four successive victories came to an end, but they remain seventh.
Hiddink, placed in interim charge at Stamford Bridge this week almost seven years after his first stint as manager, should have been celebrating a win upon his return to the champions.
But after Valon Behrami cut down Eden Hazard in the penalty area, Brazilian Oscar slipped on his run up to his 80th-minute penalty and hit the ball against his standing leg, slicing it clear of the crossbar.
But while Chelsea were not as fluid as they were in last week’s 3-1 win over Sunderland, overseen by caretaker boss Steve Holland, they will have been buoyed by the return to form of Costa.
With just three Premier League goals this season before the game, he showed the predatory instincts that saw him score 21 times last term – but a late booking means he will be suspended for the trip to Manchester United on Monday.
The 27-year-old opened the scoring by turning to half-volley in from six yards after John Terry knocked down Willian’s corner and then timed his run perfectly to take in Willian’s superb throughball and angle his shot past Heurelho Gomes for the equaliser.
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