There was a palpable buzz before kick-off as Graham Potter threw caution to the wind and named both Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk in his attacking starting line-up for a west London derby under the Friday night lights.
The Chelsea faithful got in early to catch a glimpse of their new £106 million man, as well as Mudryk after his tantalising cameo against Liverpool a fortnight ago. Reece James' return only added to the buoyant mood.
Unfortunately, the match didn't deliver on the pre-game optimism.
A feisty first half produced few chances, but Enzo was at the heart of the best of them. After Kepa Arrizabalaga had got down expertly to turn a fierce Andreas Pereira strike round the post, the Argentine's long ball played Mason Mount in but Kai Havertz was unable to finish from his cut-back on the stretch.
The German was the villain again as he spurned another glorious opening on the stroke of half-time, looping the ball onto the post after a sumptuous pass from Hakim Ziyech.
The second half was similarly fractious and cagey, with a raft of chances arriving in the latter stages. Enzo came within a whisker of capping off a fine debut as he whipped a loose ball narrowly wide from range, before substitute David Datro Fofana showed excellent composure to round the goalkeeper AND a defender, only to see his weak finish agonisingly blocked on the line.
Yet again Chelsea's lack of goalscoring prowess cost them on a frustrating night, despite Enzo's midfield dynamism.
Here are GOAL's winners, losers and player ratings from Stamford Bridge...