2005: Chelsea sign Michael Essien
Michael Essien became Chelsea's most expensive player when he completed his move from Lyon.
The Ghanaian midfielder won the title with the Blues in his first season, having started 31 Premier League matches, and became a champion again in 2009/10.
Essien also helped Chelsea to lift the FA Cup four times, the League Cup once, and the UEFA Champions League in 2011/12.
He made 168 PL appearances during his time at Stamford Bridge, scoring 17 goals and setting up another 10.
Essien spent the 2012/13 season on loan with Real Madrid, rejoining his former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, and then moved permanently to AC Milan in January 2014.
2012: Manchester City 3-2 Southampton
Having won the title by coming from behind late on to beat Queens Park Rangers 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City's defence of their crown started in similar fashion against promoted Southampton.
While Carlos Tevez put Roberto Mancini's hosts ahead before half-time, Rickie Lambert and Steven Davis struck within the space of 10 second-half minutes to put the Saints on top.
However, Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri scored inside the final 20 minutes to ensure Man City got their campaign off to a winning start.
They found themselves fifth in the table after the opening round of fixtures, while Southampton lay 13th.
