BY ADAM TROXTELL

Champions Chelsea were denied victory to open the 2015-16 English Premier League season in a somewhat controversial moment.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was sent off when he fouled Swansea’s Bafetimbi Gomis just inside the penalty area in the 52nd minute, and the striker duly converted the penalty kick in a 2-2 draw. With defender Gary Cahill nearby the incident, there were some questions as to whether or not Courtois denied a clear goal scoring opportunity.

But the result is perhaps fair, given that Swansea recorded 18 shots on goal and 10 on target. There was also a debut goal for Andre Ayew when he equalized in the 29th minute.

Oscar opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 23rd minute, turning a free kick on the left side into the far post. The Blues came out the dominant force, but the Gomis-Ayew duo drove the visitors forward as the game turned into an exciting, back-and-forth affair.

Ayew struck when he gathered a Courtois save from Gomis’ header and finished from close range. Just a minute later, Federico Fernandez scored a freak own goal when Willian’s low cross ricocheted off of his foot and looped into the far right side of the net.

Swansea came out stronger in the second half, and during this Chelsea lull, the decisive goal was created. Jonjo Shelvey played Gomis in behind with a ball over the top, leaving Courtois to come out and commit the foul.

Elsewhere, Manchester United edged out a victory against Tottenham, while Everton came back twice to draw Watford.

Here is more from Saturday’s action in Europe:

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

While Manchester United may not have looked like the finished product in the opening game of the new Premier League season, they certainly started it better than the last.

An own goal from Tottenham’s Kyle Walker gave the Red Devils a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in the early kickoff on Saturday. The goal came against the run of play, and from there Man United fared better against a Spurs side that had multiple chances to either equalize or win.

Tottenham put seven shots on target, while Man United failed to register one until the second half. Argentine Sergio Romero, starting in place of the potentially Real Madrid-bound David De Gea in the Red Devils goal, produced a couple of important stops late as Tottenham pushed for a goal.

The visitors were unable to overcome the 22nd minute own goal. After gaining possession in midfield, Man United moved the ball down the right for Ashley Young who found Wayne Rooney about eight yards from goal.

The English striker took a touch, losing the opportunity to shoot but benefiting from Walker’s kick right into the bottom corner of his own net.

Elsewhere, Everton had to come back twice in a 2-2 draw with promoted side Watford. Mexican attacker Miguel Layun first breached Tim Howard’s goal in the 14th minute, but Ross Barkley’s thunderous strike brought Everton level in the 76th minute.

Odion Ighalo struck in the 83rd minute for another Watford lead, but it disappeared three minutes later when Arouna Kone assured the result with a low finish just inside the far left post.

Here are all of Saturday’s results from the Premier League

Manchester United 1, Tottenham 0

Bournemouth 0, Aston Villa 1

Everton 2, Watford 2

Leicester 4, Sunderland 2

Norwich 1, Crystal Palace 3

Chelsea 2, Swansea 2