Despite some frantic last minute goal action David Unsworth started his spell in charge of Everton the same way Ronald Koeman's ended - with defeat.
Antonio Rudiger piled more misery on hapless Toffees as the German's nod put Chelsea ahead.
The defender lopped a header over Jordan Pickford mid-way through the first half as he went up for a corner.
Michy Batshuayi almost doubled straight away but his tame effort was easily stopped before Davide Zappacosta drilled wide on the cusp of half time.
And then it all went off in the final few minutes as Willians extended the lead - only for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to pull one back four minutes into injury time.
But how did Unsworth's new charges get on, and how did the young Chelsea player making his debut fare?
Chelsea ratings
Willy Caballero 7
Superb saves to deny Rooney from close range and Mirallas’ powerful drive down low
Antonio Rudiger 6
Brilliant header into the far corner to break the deadlock but made a mess for Calvert-Lewin's goal.
Andreas Christensen 6
Comfortable for 90 minutes but clumsy for the Everton consolation
Gary Cahill 6
Defended resolutely but unsettled in possession on a few occasions
Davide Zappacosta 7
Excellent skill to surge down the right, a real outlet
Danny Drinkwater 6
Excellent switch of play but vulnerable when Everton countered
Ethan Ampadu 6
Not afraid to mix it with a hard challenge on Rooney, didn’t look out of place on debut
Kenedy 6
Got forward well but targeted by Everton in second half
Willian 6
Wasted a glorious chance when sent clear but buried a lovely shot to make it two
Charly Musonda 6
Timid in duels but whipped a fine cross to create the opener for Rudiger
Michy Batshuayi 6
Created space by dropping deep and released runners, little service.
Subs:
Cesc Fabregas (Drinkwater, 62’)
Lovely flick to release Willian for the second.
Pedro (Musonda, 70’)
Alvaro Morata (Batshuayi, 85')
Subs not used: Eduardo, Jake Clarke-Salter, Dujon Sterling, Kyle Scott
Everton ratings
Jordan Pickford 6
Hesitated for the opener but commanded area well
Leighton Baines 5
Struggled to cope when Zappacosta pushed on
Ashley Williams 5
Looked vulnerable when faced with pace, crude challenge on Zappacosta earned him a yellow
Phil Jagielka 6
Superb clearance off the line to deny Batshuayi
Jonjo Kenny 7
Got physical with Musonda. Overlapped well and delivered several dangerous crosses
Beni Baningime 6
Solid debut but fortunate to get away with a crunching challenge on Ampadu
James McCarthy 6
Lively and always available in possession but lack of pace left him vulnerable
Tom Davies 7
Skips past challenges in midfield and effective when switching the play
Kevin Mirallas 6
A poor first half but a lovely cushioned for Rooney and forced a great save from Caballero
Wayne Rooney 6
Led the line well but spurned a glorious chance from 10 yards
Aaron Lennon 5
Tracked back well against Kenedy but offered little else
Subs:
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6 (McCarthy 64’)
Took his goal well with a cool head inside the box
Ademola Lookman (Lennon, 74’)
Oumar Niasse (Rooney, 81')
Not used: Joel Robles, Michael Keane, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Mason Holgate