Goals at opposite either end of the game from Mark Hudson and Andy Gray gave Charlton a 2-0 victory over Coca-Cola Championship newcomers Swansea.
New Charlton captain Hudson took less than 90 seconds of his debut to head Alan Pardew's side ahead at The Valley.
The visitors had Garry Monk dismissed in the 69th minute - and Andy Gray finished them off five minutes from time.
Roberto Martinez's side were beginning their first season in the top two tiers of the Football League in 25 years.
But the Welshmen were guilty of still savouring the occasion when some woeful marking allowed Hudson to head in from a corner.
It was a nightmare start for the new boys but they soon settled down into the fluid attacking play which was their trademark last season with the duo of Ferrie Bodde and Darren Pratley bossing midfield.
Jason Scotland hit 24 goals for the Swans last season as they romped to the League One title but Martinez chose to leave the striker on the bench as he packed his midfield, with Guillem Bauza deployed as the lone outlet up front.
Charlton were without the industrious Zheng Zhi - who is on Olympic duty with China - but gave a start to the club's youngest ever player, 16-year-old Jonjo Shelvey, in midfield.
The youngster had a hand in the goal, which came in the game's first attack.
Gray cut the ball back from the right but Dorus De Vries was ready to make an easy catch when Swans skipper Monk needlessly put the ball out for a corner.
And it proved costly when Shelvey's corner from the right was headed home by Hudson to cap a remarkable start to his Addicks career.
The former Crystal Palace man was given the freedom of the penalty area and made no mistake in powering a header past De Vries and into the roof of the net.
Pratley had Swansea's best effort as they dominated possession but his shot from the edge of the area was well held by Nicky Weaver.
And Lloyd Sam nearly extended the hosts' lead as the half drew to a close but his volley from another Shelvey corner was tipped over by De Vries.
Teams:
Charlton Weaver, Semedo, Fortune, Hudson, Youga,Sam (Bouazza 83), Racon, Shelvey (Holland 56),Jerome Thomas (Basey 78), Gray, Varney.
Subs Not Used: Elliot, Dickson.
Goals: Hudson 3, Gray 85.
Swansea De Vries, Collins, Monk, Williams, Painter,Gower (Scotland 76), Bodde, Britton, Pratley (Jordi Gomez 80),Butler, Bauza (Brandy 64).
Subs Not Used: Tate, Fede.
Sent Off: Monk (69).
Booked: Bodde, Monk.
Att: 21,675
Ref: Richard Beeby (Northamptonshire).