There was no dream start to the new Premier League season for Caltex Socceroos duo Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan, whose clubs both slumped to defeats in the opening round on Sunday morning (AEST).
Mooy’s Huddersfield Town took on heavyweights Chelsea who were simply too clinical for the Terriers at John Smith’s Stadium.
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While the home side carved out a few excellent scoring chances, Maurizio Sarri’s men made the most of their opportunities to run out 3-0 winners.
World Cup winner N’Golo Kante and new recruit Jorginho (pen) both scored before half-time before Pedro – who scored against Perth Glory last month – iced the result with 10 minutes left.
Mooy played the full 90 minutes in midfield for David Wagner’s men and his set-piece delivery was the most dangerous avenue to goal for the hosts.
It was his corner that almost lead to a first-half equaliser as Steve Mounie’s header hit the woodwork, while another Mooy cross met the head of Philip Billing who was denied by a great save from the Chelsea gloveman.
"Against opponents like this, you need luck. We got unlucky with the deflected goal, and when Steve Mounie hit the post when we were 1-0 down,” Wagner said.
"In the end we were beaten by quality. It's small margins that need to be in your favour, and Chelsea were clinical today."
It doesn’t get any easier for Mooy’s Huddersfield, who travel to champions Manchester City next weekend.
It was an equally frustrating outing for Aussie shot-stopper Maty Ryan, whose Brighton and Hove Albion side lost 2-0 against Watford at Vicarage Road.
Argentine winger Roberto Pereyra was the star of the show, with his brace either side of the break handing the Hornets a winning start to the campaign.
Ryan could do nothing about those goals but came up with a couple of other sensational stops to keep the Seagulls in the content.
He did well to keep out Andre Gray’s strike at the near post early on, while his two-handed save to deny Troy Deeney soon after was superb.
But Brighton were unable to work their way back into the match, and will now turn their attention to next weekend’s clash at home against Manchester United.
In the Championship, Caltex Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak was back in Aston Villa's side, starting at centre-back as they beat Wigan 3-2.
While Villa made it back-to-back wins to start the season, Jedinak did play a hand in Wigan's second-half equaliser, with his misplaced back pass a little short with the keeper blasting the ball into the oncoming Nick Powell with the deflection finding the back of the net.
James Meredith’s (90 minutes) Millwall were left frustrated as they were held to a goalless draw at newly-promoted Blackburn Rovers.
Massimo Luongo also got through a full match for QPR who slumped to a 2-1 loss at home against Sheffield United, while goalkeeper Adam Federici watched from the bench as Stoke City drew 1-1 with Brentford.
Midfielder Jackson Irvine came on for the last 24 minutes as Hull City had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday and Ryan Williams was a second-half substitute as his Rotherham United beat Ipswich 1-0 thanks to Michael Smith’s 90th minute winner.
