Marcos Alonso’s brace gave Chelsea a 2-1 victory against Tottenham at Wembley to kick-start the Blues’ title defence.
Alonso put the visitors ahead midway through the first-half when he curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner from 25 yards out after Dele Alli tripped David Luiz.
Chelsea survived an onslaught before the interval when both Harry Kane and Dele Alli went close to finding an equaliser.
Spurs had lost their way in the closing stages before Michy Batshuayi needlessly headed into his own net from a Christian Eriksen free-kick.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men then bombed forward for a winner but it was Alonso that found the game’s third goal when he slipped a drilled effort under Hugo Lloris five minutes from time.
Star man
David Luiz.
Dembele ran him close but Luiz was the best player on the park.
The Brazilian is so often criticised for his lack of concentration but he was focused throughout at Wembley and was at the heart of everything that Chelsea did well.
Suspensions and injuries meant Chelsea were never going to open up against Spurs and Luiz epitomised the ethos that Conte’s men bought into for the 90 minutes.
Luiz won the foul that handed Alonso the opportunity to put Chelsea ahead in the first-half and he protected his back three with a gutsy performance.
It was a performance of necessity from Chelsea, who knew they couldn’t afford to lose the game with tough fixtures against Everton and Arsenal to come.
Luiz’s spirited display ensured they didn’t.
Failed to impress
Alvaro Morata.
He may have been on the winning side but the Spaniard cut a lonely figure at the tip of Chelsea’s formation and was often isolated from his team-mates.
Conte’s repeatedly spoken about how Morata’s understanding of his team-mates must improve and it’s clear he’s still finding his feet in Chelsea’s side.
While he was starved off service, Morata was expected to hold the ball up and to bring others into play. Diego Costa performed this role perfectly for Chelsea away from home but Morata struggled up against three Spurs centre-backs and often lost the physical battle.
It could have been so different, too. Chelsea had started brightly and Cesar Azpilicueta found Morata free in the box with a whipped cross. Morata had time and space to plant his header but he mistimed it and it proved to be his only chance in the game.
Nevertheless, it’s more minutes under Morata’s belt and Conte will be hopeful his performances improve as he settles into life in west London.
Biggest error
Under-estimating Chelsea.
With suspensions, injuries and a pre-season to forget, many were tipping Spurs to steamroll Conte’s side.
But Chelsea are champions for a reason and their second half response against Burnley last week showed the team spirit at the club is not what it was towards the end of Jose Mourinho’s reign.
Chelsea put in the type of structured, organised performance that Conte was well known for at Juventus and he will be delighted with his team’s reaction to their opening weekend defeat.
He would have probably taken a draw but to get three points away at a title rival showed Chelsea will be contenders once again this season.
What surprised us?
Conte’s team selection
Conte was always going to be forced into changes but amendments were expected in midfield, not at the back.
Chelsea started with a makeshift back three of Christensen, Rudiger and Azpilicueta with Luiz in midfield and the formation was switched to a 3-5-1-1.
Luiz excelled sitting in front of the defence and his composure on the ball afforded Conte’s side time to move up the field.
Moses was expected to play as a winger in a front free but he was tucked in in a more familiar right wing-back position and he tracked Ben Davies all game long.
Bakayoko was making his first appearance for the club and his showed few signs of his lack of match fitness. The Frenchman signed for the club on the back of minor knee surgery but he put his body on the line for the cause and impressed in midfield.
It showcased Conte’s tactical nous and he exploited Spurs’ lack of width by swamping the middle of the field with three defensively-minded midfielders.
What didn’t surprise us?
Marcos Alonso’s free-kick.
No defender has scored more goals in the Premier League since Alonso completed his move to Stamford Bridge last summer.
The Spaniard’s sensational free-kick was his seventh league goal in Chelsea colours and it’s a measure of his ability on set-pieces that it was no surprise when he found the top corner.
Luiz did well to buy a foul from Alli just outside the area and the foul – to the right of the box – was perfectly positioned for Alonso’s left foot.
It’s well known that Conte is keen on signing a new left wing-back but there’s few players on the market with Alonso’s set piece capabilities.
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