23/08/2003  Chelsea 2 Leicester 1
 
The king is dead, long live the king.

While Gianfranco Zola's place in Chelsea history is assured, Adrian Mutu proved with a swashbuckling debut display that the Italian's legacy is at least in safe hands.

Watched by not only new Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who splashed out £15.8million to sign him, but also intended strike partner Hernan Crespo, Mutu looked custom-built for Stamford Bridge.

At times, rather showy, perhaps even over-elaborate, he nevertheless displayed his full range of trickery and struck a thunderbolt from 20 yards to clinch victory just before half-time and left to a standing ovation.

There were still several nervous moments for Chelsea, especially in a feisty second-half when Geremi was dismissed with 23 minutes left.

However, Leicester then had two players - Alan Rogers and Riccardo Scimeca - sent off in the closing stages of what was hardly a bad-tempered game, and the Blues held on.

They were still indebted to Mutu, who had lived up not only to his pre-match billing by Claudio Ranieri as a "snake", as well as his own promise to bring "fantasy" to the club.

That job used to be the preserve of Zola, whose name is still chanted in reverence by the Chelsea fans, much like that of Eric Cantona at Manchester United.

However, while Mutu showed there can be life after Zola, Chelsea also enjoyed some good fortune in being handed the lead through an own goal by Lilian Nalis, only for James Scowcroft to equalise.

It all provided a stirring afternoon's entertainment for Abramovich, who was given a stirring reception as he was introduced to the fans before his first home game since his takeover.

Chelsea promptly got off to the perfect start when Nalis, a Frenchman signed this summer from Chievo, incredibly managed to head a corner past his own keeper, Ian Walker, under little obvious pressure with just two minutes gone.

Chelsea continued to press but, with Leicester sitting back in numbers, they were forced to do so mainly from long-range, with Frank Lampard's fierce half-volley directed straight at Ian Walker.

Whatever a Leicester side that cost almost nothing to throw together, may lack in technical quality compared to Chelsea's multi-million pound squad, they make up for in application and spirit.

When Muzzy Izzet's long-range free-kick hung in the air inside the Chelsea area five minutes before half-time, Scowcroft managed to outjump John Terry to power a header into the far corner.

Abramovich nevertheless merely shrugged his shoulders with a wry smile in the stand, and his confidence in his side duly paid off.

When Mutu's free-kick flew straight into the wall and rebounded to him, the Romanian let fly with a follow-up effort that rocketed into the far corner on the stroke of half-time.

Chelsea could not afford to relax. After all, it was only four years ago that Leicester derailed Chelsea's title bid late in the season by hauling their way back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.

However, Mutu was impressing the crowd with his flicks and also tracking back when required, while Hasselbaink struck the near post from a tight angle after racing past keeper Ian Walker.

Geremi was nevertheless sent off with 23 minutes left for a two-footed tackle on Scimeca and the home side were down to 10 men.

It was, perhaps, a harsh decision from referee Rob Styles, especially as Geremi won the ball, but he still went in studs-first and the official felt bound to act.

Scowcroft responded by sending a header just over the bar, but Chelsea's task was made easier when Rogers was dismissed for kicking Gronkjaer on the ground after pushing the Danish international over with six minutes left.

Deane still burst straight the centre of Chelsea's defence only to plant his header against the top of the bar.

But that was it for Leicester, who even had Scimeca dismissed with two minutes left for his second bookable offence, a tackle from behind on Joe Cole, who then rattled the crossbar himself.

Abramovich could finally smile with relief. He had bought Chelsea for fun, but might just find there are a few more nervous afternoons to endure like this one.