Chelsea proved that money can buy you goals after a 2-1 win against Liverpool in an exciting season opener at Anfield.
They kicked off their Premiership campaign with goals from new signing Juan Sebastian Veron and substitute Jimmy Hasselbaink, while all Liverpool could offer was a penalty from Michael Owen.
All eyes were on Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who after a spending spree of more than £40million, eagerly watched his new business venture in action.
Gerard Houllier's side could still taste the disappointment of losing a Champions League place to the London club in last season's final match.
Determined to even the score Reds midfielder Danny Murphy just missed out on an early goal in the second minute, thanks to a full-length save from Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini.
And in the 23rd minute an impressive run from Houllier's £5million signing, Australian international Harry Kewell, ended in a near miss.
But it was the visitors who opened the scoring two minutes later.
Former Manchester United star Veron netted following an excellent cross from Jesper Gronkjaer, after Liverpool defenders Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz both slipped in front of the goal.
But Liverpool answered back in the 79th min with a penalty from Owen, as Chelsea new boy Wayne Bridge tripped El Hadji Diouf in the box.
A confused crowd looked on as the referee allowed Owen to take the shot a second time because of Cudicini straying from his goal-line as the first effort went well wide.
But Claudio Ranieri's side put the smile back on their new owner's face two minutes before the final whistle.
Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek left his goal to ward off a Hasselbaink chance, but the Dutchman netted to ensure the first three points of the new season.