A burst of speed from Joe Cole gave Chelsea the only goal it needed Friday as the Premier League champion held off the Suwon Bluewings 1-0 in an exhibition match that was as much about sponsorship as soccer.

Chelsea signed a US$96 million (€74 million) deal last month with South Korean electronics giant Samsung, which owns the Bluewings.

After a heavy schedule that included some 70 matches over the past season, culminating in its first premiership in half a century, at least seven regulars stayed behind as Chelsea made the long trip to South Korea.

Those who came were more than enough.

Smoke from a massive fireworks display at the opening whistle briefly delayed play after the opening possession.

Trying to prove their worth to the home fans, Suwon tried a little fireworks of their own early, with Brazil's Nadson Rodrigues de Souza getting three chances. But the Bluewings - the K-League champions - never really stretched Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.