PLAYER RATINGS: Sam Vokes leaves Stamford Bridge a hero as Gary Cahill endures nightmare start to the Premier League season

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Chelsea's Premier League title defence got off to a nightmarish start as they were beaten at home by Burnley.

They were 3-0 down at half-time before eventually succumbing 3-2, with Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas also picking up red cards.

Sportsmail has picked through the Chelsea wreckage and Burnley triumph to rate each player from an extraordinary game at Stamford Bridge... 

Chelsea's title defence got off to a nightmarish start as they were beaten at home by Burnley

CHELSEA 

Thibaut Courtois

Slow to get down to the opening goal, got a hand to the ball but could not stop it. Little chance with others. 6

Antonio Rudiger

The German had a difficult Premier League debut, starting on the right of the back three but switched to the left after Cahill's red card. 6

Gary Cahill

Chelsea lost their captain after 14 minutes when he got a straight red for going studs-up on Steven Defour, and never recovered. 4

Chelsea lost captain Gary Cahill after 14 minutes when he got a red card, and never recovered

David Luiz

Didn't look comfortable and questioned when Sam Vokes had a free header in the six yard box for the third goal. Scored late on. 5

Cesar Azpilicueta

Played as a right wing-back with Victor Moses suspended, and didn't have the same impact as the Nigerian. 6

N'Golo Kante

Usual tireless performance, but little back-up. Let Stephen Ward pass him too easily for Burnley's second goal. 7

David Luiz scored late on, but it couldn't make up for a performance riddled with mistakes

Cesc Fabregas

Involved in plenty of the play, but Burnley and frustrated him and he lost his head, going off after being booked for dissent and then a foul. 5

Marcos Alonso

Booked early on for a clumsy challenge, but one of Chelsea's best attacking options, having long range shots saved twice. 7

Willian

Always involved and dangerous, but got little joy from Burnley's defence until he crossed for Morata to score. 7

Cesc Fabregas got a first booking for sarcastically clapping the ref, then a second for a foul

Michy Batshuayi

Very poor once again, and given sarcastic cheer from home crowd when he got one pass right. Replaced by Morata after 58 minutes. 5

Jeremie Boga 

The 20-year-old academy product made a short debut, being sacrificed after 16 minutes following Cahill's red card. 5

Jeremie Boga made a short debut, being sacrificed after 16 minutes following Cahill's red card

Subs:

Andreas Christensen (for Boga 16)

The former Borussia Dortmund loanee went on when Cahill was sent off, and had a goal disallowed. 6

Alvaro Morata (for Batshuayi 58)

Scored on his Premier League debut with a diving header but cost Chelsea a second with an offside touch on Christensen's shot 6

Charly Musonda (for Christensen 89)

Subs not used: Willy Caballero, Kenedy, Fikayo Tomori, Kyle Scott.

Burnley were 3-0 ahead at half-time at Stamford Bridge before eventually triumphing 3-2

BURNLEY 

Tom Heaton

Solid display as ever from the young England keeper, though he did not have a shot to save in the first half. 8

Matthew Lowton

Solid defensively and good going forward, hardly put a foot wrong as Burnley kept the Champions at bay. 7

James Tarkowski

Outstanding performance from the former Brentford stopper who only established himself at Burnley late last season. 8

Tom Heaton was as solid as ever in the Clarets goal, keeping them ahead in the second half

Ben Mee

Solid alongside Tarkowski in the centre of Burnley's defence, kept his head and made important blocks when needed. 8

Stephen Ward

Good defensively and scored an outstanding second goal when he cut in from the left and hammered the ball past Courtois. 8

Steven Defour

Excellent controlled performance at the heart of midfield and crossed superbly for Vokes second goal. 8

Jack Cork

Must have enjoyed returning to the club where he started his career but never played for the first team. Excellent throughout. 8

Jack Cork enjoyed returning to the club where he started his career on his Burnley debut

Jeff Hendrick

Solid, no-nonsense from the Irish midfielder who helped Burnley squeeze the life out of Chelsea. Hit post with late free kick. 7

Robbie Brady

Did what he does best, delivering the ball into the box and linking play well. Heavily involved in the opening goal. 7

Sam Vokes

Superb start for the Welshman. Had an early goal disallowed and but made up for it with a volleyed opener and superb header. 9

Johann Berg Gudmundsson

Quiet and steady display by the Icelandic midfielder, helping to keep Ngolo Kante and Cesc Fabregas quiet. 6

Sam Vokes had a goal disallowed and but made up for it with a volley and a superb header

Subs: 

Jonathan Walters (for Defour 75)

Scott Arfield (for Gudmondsson 75)

Subs not used: Nick Pope, Charlie Taylor, Ashley Barnes, Ashley Westwood, Kevin Long

Referee: Craig Pawson - not popular with home fans but no option with red cards. 7