An even contest was level at the break after a half of few opportunities but the second period proved more eventful. Marc Guehi was adamant he had given the Blues the lead early after the restart with a back-post header that appeared to cross the line but the officials were unconvinced and the absence of goal-line technology at this level meant the deadlock remained.

That lasted just a few minutes before Harry Charsley’s drive from distance squirmed away from Marcin Bulka in the Chelsea goal and over the line for the opener. Yet Joe Edwards’s side showed resilience and mettle to launch a comeback and restored parity within 10 minutes as Charly Musonda squeezed a penalty underneath the goalkeeper after Tariq Lamptey had been felled in the box. It meant the Blues begin the season with an early point on the board against the 2017 champions.

Edwards made one change from an impressive midweek victory at Swindon Town in the Checkatrade Trophy, replacing goalkeeper Jamie Cumming with the returning Bulka. The rest of the team were unchanged as Bulka’s protection came in the form of Fankaty Dabo, Joseph Colley and Guehi across the back three.

Ike Ugbo and Charlie Brown netted three of the four goals in Wiltshire and the attacking duo led the line supported by Musonda and Luke McCormick, the latter having recovered from a dead leg suffered early in the Swindon tie. George McEachran anchored as the deepest midfielder, while Lamptey and Juan Castillo continued at wing-back.