Accra, Oct. 9, GNA - Defending Premier League Champions, Berekum Chelsea escaped what will have been a huge blow to their title defence ambitions following a lackluster performance on the season's day one duel with Tudu Mighty Jets which ended 1-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday= .. The defending Champions who per their pedigree looked favoured before kick off had to sweat to snatch a late equalizer after the homers had gone ahead in 65 minutes when substitute Frank Osei put Jets in front from a dua= l performance by the two teams.

Osei towered above his markers to beautifully head home after skipper Winfred Dormon survived several heckles from the Chelsea defence to pick th= e former out with a measured cross deep in the visitors area.

Until the goal, very little could be picked between the two sides wit= h action centered in the midfield but it was Jets who created three wasted opportunities whiles Chelsea surprisingly fashioned out none throughout the first half.

Chelsea in the second half forced the homers goalkeeper, Shaibu Issahaka to put his best effort on display right from the start to signal their intent, but after conceding the goal, the visitors knew only a lift i= n their game plan could save their blushes.

Coach Stephen Polack soon introduced Emmanuel Clottey for Sadat Karim and the defending Champions gained a little bite upfront with Clottey unleashing a half volley that required an overstretch from goalkeeper Issahaka to keep Jets lead intact.

Just when everything seemed to be heading towards a famous win for Jets, Abdul Basit pulled parity for Chelsea when he profited from a poor judgment by goalkeeper Issahaka to head in from a dead ball situation that will send the visitors relieved from imminent defeat.

From then the Jets defence leaked in confidence after conceding that goal and needed goalkeeper Issahaka to strengthen his skills to rob Chelsea off victory with some impressive saves.

The home team's last minute effort to carry the day failed to materialize as the defence of Chelsea managed to hold them in check till th= e final whistle.