Didier Drogba got Chelsea's defence of their Premier League title off to the perfect start with a stunning hat-trick in a 6-0 win over newly-promoted West Brom.
Drogba, who scored 38 goals in all competitions last season, continued his remarkable form with three well-taken goals while Florent Malouda (2) and Frank Lampard also found the net in a powerful display by the champions.
It took Carlo Ancleotti's side only six minutes to get on the scoresheet for the first time in the new season and it was a goal that will give West Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson nightmares.
The former England international made a terrible mess of Drogba's free-kick, fumbling it straight to Mikel - and when the Nigerian midfielder's effort was blocked, Malouda raced in to tap home from close range.
From that point out Chelsea never looked in any danger against a side managed by former Blues hero Roberto Di Matteo.
There was a minor scare when Roman Bednar curled home for the visitors after being flagged offside but once Drogba doubled Chelsea's lead, on the stroke of half-time, the three points were effectively sealed.
If Carson was to blame for Chelsea's opener he has a right blame his defence for the second - Drogba's 25m free-kick going straight through the wall before ending up in the end.
It was a morale-boosting goal for the home side who had endured a miserable pre-season, including a 3-0 defeat to bitter rivals Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley last week.
But they won this match without even moving into third gear.
Drogba made it 3-0 in the 56th minute, firing home after John Terry's header from a corner was cleared off the line.
And, after Lampard had slid home a fourth seven minutes later, the Ivorian completed his hat-trick with a deflected shot from the edge of the area in the 68th minute.
Chelsea could even afford to substitute Drogba and Lampard after that to keep them fresh for the rest of the season, safe in the knowledge their title defence had begun in textbook style, a fact that was confirmed when Malouda rolled in number six in the last minute.