Chelsea 4-0 Liverpool – 4 September 1905

The very first game Chelsea Football Club played at Stamford Bridge was a friendly. Two days after our competitive opener, a 1-0 loss at Stockport County, the Blues dismantled First Division Liverpool 4-0 in front of 6000 supporters at the Bridge.

Played on a Monday at 5.15pm, Bob McRoberts bagged a brace before Martin Moran and Jimmy Windridge completed the scoring for the Pensioners.

It paved the way for a good start to life in west London for Chelsea, who beat Hull City 5-1 in our maiden competitive fixture on home soil a week later.

Chelsea 3-3 Dynamo Moscow – 13 November 1945

Not long after the conclusion of the Second World War, the Soviet Union’s leading football team, Dynamo Moscow, embarked on a tour of Britain, starting with a visit to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea.

In the build-up to the game, Moscow Radio Network broadcast a lengthy interview with Chelsea manager Billy Birrell to learn more about the club’s history and the team.

Come matchday, a huge crowd, believed to be 20,000 over capacity, took every possible vantage point in and around the Bridge to catch a glimpse of the exotic visitors. The game, which finished in a thrilling 3-3 draw, was broadcast live across Russia.

Chelsea 4-3 Chelsea Past XI – 24 November 1975

From the 1950s until the 1990s, it was common practice for long-serving players to earn testimonial or benefit matches where they would receive proceeds from the gate receipts and other matchday revenue.

One of the most iconic in Chelsea history took place in November 1975. The King of Stamford Bridge, Peter Osgood, had left for Southampton the year before under something of a cloud. The chance to celebrate his Blues career – which, it turned out, was not over – came in the form of a match against former Chelsea greats, including Peter Bonetti, David Webb, George Graham and Alan Hudson.

Lining up alongside them was the legendary George Best, a longstanding friend of Osgood’s.

Nearly 20,000 came to the Bridge on a Monday night to see Best in blue, and he rewarded them with two goals as the somewhat older Chelsea side were beaten 4-3 by Ray Wilkins and co.

Chelsea 3-0 Real Zaragoza – 8 August 2004

Chelsea’s final preparations for what would prove one of the greatest seasons in our history was a very special afternoon indeed. The Gianfranco Zola Tribute Match paired Jose Mourinho’s Blues with Spanish side Real Zaragoza in front of a packed Stamford Bridge.

Zola had left the prior summer with fans not able to say a proper goodbye. This was their chance, and how they revelled in watching their hero in blue one more time.

Zola came on for the final 27 minutes on an afternoon when a Chelsea forward right at the beginning of his time at the club – Didier Drogba – scored his maiden goal in SW6.

Chelsea 2-0 Real Sociedad – 12 August 2014

Our first friendly at Stamford Bridge in eight years was a wonderful precursor for what was to come in 2014/15.

Diego Costa netted twice in the opening stages with a pair of composed finishes, while Cesc Fabregas showed glimpses of the creative genius that typified his time in west London.

Both would start the season quickly and by the end of it, Chelsea were Premier League champions for a fourth time.

Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham – 4 August 2021

This was a special occasion on two fronts. Not only were the recently crowned European champions returning home to Stamford Bridge, but Covid restrictions had been lifted, permitting a maximum capacity for the first time in 18 months.

The Champions League trophy was paraded ahead of kick-off and when the action got underway, two fine Hakim Ziyech efforts were cancelled out by our London rivals in the second half. Nonetheless, it was good to be home.

The Blues host Leverkusen on Friday 8 August, before Milan visit the Bridge on Sunday 10 August as part of the VisitMalta Weekender friendly tournament. Tickets are on general sale for both matches, with five loyalty points and savings on offer for season ticket holders and members.