Chelsea legend and columnist Pat Nevin is back for another season, and is pleased at what he has seen so far.

There seemed something reassuringly familiar at the start of Sunday's match against Portsmouth. Frank Lampard was happily still there along with most of the lads who came so close to championing Europe last season.

We were looking forward to seeing a few changes, particularly those that the new boss would bring about and I think they were pretty apparent right from the first few minutes. Chelsea always seem to dominate teams at Stamford Bridge but the willingness to attack in numbers with an almost 'devil may care' attitude was a joy to behold from the first whistle.

The imaginative movement from the likes of Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Deco was aided and abetted by the willingness of both full-backs to get forward at every opportunity.

At the start of a season there is always great hope and expectation and though there have been many false dawns for many sides, I really think this may be among the most enjoyable seasons for many years at Stamford Bridge.

The players seemed to be unshackled on Sunday, even Ricardo Carvalho had an early mazy run down the left hand side early on. I remember him doing this regularly with Porto and Portugal but it hasn't been encouraged throughout his Chelsea career. I will not complain as long as someone fills in for him, even I am not quite so cavalier to suggest we leave the back door open.

Back to the personnel changes and of course Deco and Bosingwa were of most interest for the fans. Hopefully our search for the perfect right full-back appears to be over now, though I suspect that anyone who watched Bosingwa play for Portugal at Euro 2008 was already well aware of his ability before his Premiership debut.

Opponents will hate the fact that Chelsea are now a major threat from both full-back areas as Ashley Cole looks fully fit. The moment of certainty came in the 25th minute when Bosingwa flew down the wing, straight past the opposing defender and his deep cross eventually found the head of Anelka who scored the second goal. It is such a Brazilian trait to have two full-backs tearing up the wings - think of Cafu, Roberto Carlos Cicinho etc. So Phil Scolari has already imposed his thoughts and wishes on the lads.

As for Deco, the big question appeared to be where he would fit in at Chelsea? Well good players are adaptable and he looked perfectly in place wherever he popped up on the right, left or centre of the midfield alongside Frank, Michael, Joe and John Mikel Obi. He also adds even more creativity in that area because he has great vision and the ability to put the ball anywhere he wants to.

Another question being asked of him was whether or not he would have the power and the stature to control games in the rough house that is the English Premiership. Well there certainly doesn't seem any concern in that area after his first competitive match. He put his foot in and stood toe-to-toe with the likes of Papa Doupa Diop. He also has that great ability to use his balance to hold off much bigger men, much in the same way as Gianfranco Zola did. So it looks as though, just like Franco, we might not have to worry about his height too much and if he keeps scoring as he did at the end of the game he might one day be almost as popular as the little Italian.

So without being quite as glorious as one of the great Brazil sides who defined the phrase, 'the beautiful game', the manager has brought a new style that will with any luck continue to improve as the players get used to it.

As for me, I am more excited about watching this season at the Bridge than just about any I can remember, I just hope the injury jinx that has haunted the club leaves us this season. If it does then it is hard to see who can stop us including United.

And I promised myself I wouldn't get carried away after only one win.

Along with me, the competition is back after the summer break. So to win a 2007/8 Season Review DVD could you tell me what was the name of the first team that Phil Scolari managed? Answers to pat.nevin@chelseafc.com