The Tigers suffered a cruel opening day defeat as Didier Drogba's goal in added time gave Chelsea a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
In the opening game of the Premier League season, City had taken the lead through debutant Stephen Hunt's first half goal, but a brace from Drogba saw the title challengers emerge as winners.
Three of the Tigers' summer signings made Phil Brown's starting line-up.
Steven Mouyokolo, Seyi Olofinjana and Stephen Hunt were all handed debuts with Mouyokolo starting at right back while Kamel Ghilas began on the bench.
Jozy Altidore didn't made the squad as transfer paperwork had yet to be completed.
Boaz Myhill returned in goal from a thumb injury to make his 250th senior outing for the Tigers and 250th career league appearance.
Caleb Folan started as the lone front man in a 4-5-1 formation.
There were no debutants in new Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti's first starting XI selection.
Ahead of the 12.45pm kick-off, there was a minute's applause for the late Sir Bobby Robson.
Hunt, who had already been given a less than friendly welcome from the Chelsea fans following a clash with Petr Cech a couple of seasons ago, did his reputation no favours with a challenge on Frank Lampard in the opening minute.
From the free kick, Didier Drogba should have given his side the lead, but he volleyed a right-wing cross wide from a good position.
Chelsea enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening minutes with Drogba seeing another effort fly off target before Mikel drove wide from 25 yards.
George Boateng had City's first shot of the match in the tenth minute, firing wide with the outside of his right boot from the edge of the area.
Hunt then set Dean Marney up for a header with a cross from the left, but the midfielder was off target.
At the other end, John Terry's header from Florent Malouda's corner ended up on the roof of the net with Myhill beaten.
City then won a corner of their own and when Marney's delivery was cleared to the edge of the box, Boateng saw his mistimed volley cleared off the line and over his own bar by Frank Lampard.
When Chelsea next attacked, they won a corner and after being delivered quickly to the far post, Michael Essien headed wide.
However, it was the Tigers who took the lead on 28 minutes.
Andy Dawson's free kick from halfway dropped to the edge of the box and when Boateng's goalbound shot was blocked, the ball fell into the path of Hunt who finished inside the near post.
Neither the goal nor the scorer was popular with the home fans, but the travelling black and amber army were in raptures with chants of 'We are top of the league'.
It was the first goal of the 2009-10 Premier League campaign but only City's third goal in 15 league visits to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea responded with shots from Essien and Drogba which were dealt with, but the home side did level eight minutes before the break when City conceded a debatable free kick 25 yards from goal.
Drogba stepped up and gave Myhill little chance with a dipping shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Myhill then saved from Essien's volley as City looked to get through to half time on level terms.
City lost Marney to injury on the stroke of half time after he appeared to go over on his ankle.
He was replaced by Nick Barmby.
Bernard Mendy was booked in added time for a foul on Malouda before Myhill held Essien's shot.
Half Time: Tigers 1-1 Chelsea
Chelsea made a change at half time with Michael Ballack replacing Mikel.
The home side should have been in front within 60 seconds of the restart after Drogba set up Nicolas Anelka, but despite having time and space, the striker fired straight at Myhill.
Moments later, Lampard fired into the side-netting as Chelsea offered a statement of intent.
Penalty appeals were waved away following a challenge on Anelka in the box and Hunt saw similar claims dismissed at the other end.
City then somehow survived a goalmouth scramble from a corner before Myhill saved brilliantly from Drogba.
Another penalty shout fell on deaf ears on 66 minutes when Boateng's shot appeared to strike an arm in the Chelsea box.
The City captain then needed treatment before new boy Kamel Ghilas replaced Hunt and Deco replaced Malouda.
Barmby was also booked for a challenge on Ashley Cole.
Ghilas's first touch almost set up a tap-in for Folan, but Cole snuffed out the danger before the ball could reach the striker.
Myhill had to be at his best again to deny Jose Bosingwa in the 76th minute before a succession of Chelsea corners were dealt with by the City back line.
City's final change saw Geovanni replace Mendy.
Chelsea substitute Salomon Kalou had a chance within seconds of coming on, but he headed over from Deco's cross.
With the game now in the final five minutes, Chelsea won a corner when Michael Turner was forced to clear behind, but Ricardo Carvalho headed off target from Lampard's ball in.
At the other end, Folan's deflected cross brought Cech into action as the keeper was forced to tip the ball over the bar.
In the final minute, Turner was at his best to block Drogba's turn and shot.
The referee somehow found six minutes of time to add on, much to the bemusement of Phil Brown and his bench.
And it was during that time that City's resolve was finally broken as Drogba picked up Deco's pass before seeing his cross drop over Myhill and into the net.
City almost came up with a response when Barmby found Ghilas, but his curling effort landed on top of the net.
Tigers (4-5-1) Boaz Myhill; Steven Mouyokolo, Michael Turner, Anthony Gardner, Andy Dawson; Bernard Mendy (Geovanni 78), Dean Marney (Barmby 44), Seyi Olofinjana, George Boateng [captain], Stephen Hunt (Ghilas 69); Caleb Folan.
Subs: Matt Duke, Kamil Zayatte, Peter Halmosi, Nick Barmby, Geovanni, Kamel Ghilas, Daniel Cousin.
Bookings: Mendy 45, Barmby 70.
Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2) Petr Cech; Jose Bosingwa, Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry [captain], Ashley Cole; Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel (Ballack 46); Frank Lampard; Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka (Kalou 79).
Subs: Ross Turnbull, Branislav Ivanovic, Michael Ballack, Deco, Salomon Kalou, Daniel Sturridge, Sam Hutchinson.
Bookings: Drogba 90.
