Ivanović played all of Chelsea's pre-season games and captained the side against Seattle Sounders FC, leading the side to 4–2 victory. On 12 August, Ivanović started the Community Shield match against Manchester City and was sent off for a two-footed tackle on City defender Aleksandar Kolarov. He started Chelsea's Premier League campaign by scoring an early goal against Wigan on 19 August, helping the Blues to a 2–0 opening round win. He scored again off an assist from Eden Hazard, as Chelsea defeated Reading 4–2 on 22 August. The Serbian then went on to score a goal as Chelsea defeated Norwich City 4–1 on 6 October 2012. He was sent off in a Premier League game against Manchester United after a professional foul on Ashley Young, a game Chelsea lost 3–2. He scored his first ever League Cup goal in 1–5 win over Leeds United on 19 December. On 23 December 2012, Ivanović scored his fifth goal of the season in an 8–0 thrashing of Aston Villa.