Chelsea began the Xabi Alonso era with a 3-2 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday, as Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and João Pedro combined to give the visitors a winning start to the new Premier League campaign.
The result gave Alonso victory in his first competitive match as Chelsea manager, while also ending the club’s wait for an opening-day Premier League win since 2022. Fulham, managed for the first time in the league by Álvaro Arbeloa, twice threatened to overturn Chelsea’s advantage but could not find a late equaliser.
Chelsea’s attacking trio immediately showed why there is considerable interest in Alonso’s new-look side. Palmer supplied the pass for João Pedro’s opener, Rogers scored on his competitive debut and Palmer then added Chelsea’s third after the interval.
João Pedro gives Chelsea dream start
Chelsea needed only 32 seconds to take the lead.
After Fulham cleared into the Chelsea half, Maxence Lacroix won the ball in the air before Palmer produced a delicate touch to release João Pedro behind the home defence. The Brazilian kept his composure and lifted the ball over Bernd Leno.
The goal was the fastest Chelsea had scored in the opening game of a Premier League season, according to match reports, and immediately placed Fulham under pressure.
Palmer then went close himself, forcing Leno to make a save at his near post, while Rogers also threatened from the edge of the area.
Fulham gradually recovered from the early setback. Josh King tested Robert Sánchez before eventually finding the equaliser in the 23rd minute.
A passing move down Chelsea’s left opened space inside the penalty area and King drilled his effort beyond Sánchez to make it 1-1.
The goal changed the momentum of the first half, with Fulham growing more confident and Chelsea’s defence showing some of the vulnerability that would remain a feature of the contest.
Chelsea, however, responded before the break.
Rogers marks debut with Chelsea’s second
The visitors regained the lead four minutes before half-time through Rogers.
Palmer helped create the opening before Lacroix carried the move into the penalty area and delivered across goal. Rogers arrived in space and swept the ball beyond Leno to score on his first competitive appearance for Chelsea.
The goal capped an impressive first half for the new attacking combination. Rogers had already shown his willingness to run at Fulham’s defence, while Palmer repeatedly found pockets of space between the midfield and back line.
Chelsea could have extended their advantage before half-time, but Palmer sent a curling effort narrowly wide.
The visitors therefore entered the interval 2-1 ahead, despite Fulham having recovered strongly after conceding so early.
Palmer restores Chelsea’s two-goal advantage
Chelsea started the second half with the same attacking intent and extended their lead four minutes after the restart.
Rogers helped begin the move before João Pedro carried the ball forward and waited for Palmer to make his run. The Brazilian then released his team-mate, who calmly finished through Leno’s legs to make it 3-1.
It was a fitting contribution from Palmer, who had already created João Pedro’s goal and remained central to Chelsea’s most dangerous attacking sequences.
Fulham refused to surrender, though, and reduced the deficit just five minutes later.
Timothy Castagne’s effort was saved by Sánchez, but the Chelsea goalkeeper could not prevent the rebound from falling to Gonzalo García. The Fulham forward reacted quickly to head the loose ball into the net and make it 3-2.
The goal restored uncertainty to a match Chelsea had appeared to be controlling.
Chelsea survive late Fulham pressure
Alonso responded by making changes as Chelsea attempted to regain control.
Pep Chavarria and Enzo Fernández were introduced during the second half, followed later by Geovany Quenda and Estêvão Willian. Rogers and Palmer were withdrawn with Chelsea protecting their narrow advantage.
Fulham continued to search for an equaliser.
King came close again with a low effort that went narrowly wide, while Antonee Robinson attempted to lob Sánchez but sent his effort off target.
Sánchez was also required to make a late save to deny substitute Ryan Sessegnon as Fulham increased the pressure.
Chelsea appeared to have added a fourth in stoppage time when João Pedro turned in the rebound after Leno had saved from Quenda, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
The disallowed goal did not affect the outcome. Chelsea held on to claim three points and give Alonso a successful competitive debut.
Alonso’s Chelsea show attacking promise but defensive concerns
The victory offered an early indication of both the potential and problems facing Alonso.
Chelsea’s front three were the clear positives. João Pedro scored and provided an assist, Palmer produced a goal and an assist, while Rogers marked his debut with a goal. Lacroix also impressed on his first competitive appearance, contributing the assist for Rogers’ goal.
The defensive performance was less convincing.
Chelsea conceded twice from situations that exposed weaknesses around Sánchez and the back line. Fulham’s second goal, in particular, came after Sánchez saved Castagne’s shot but could only push the ball into the path of García.
Fulham’s response also demonstrated that Arbeloa’s side can pose a threat despite the defeat. The hosts repeatedly found openings after Chelsea had taken control and pushed the visitors into a nervous finish.
For Alonso, the priority will now be to preserve the attacking fluency shown at Craven Cottage while reducing the defensive mistakes that almost cost Chelsea two points.
Chelsea’s next competitive fixture comes on Thursday against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup, giving Alonso an immediate opportunity to continue shaping his new side. Fulham will also return to cup action against AFC Wimbledon.
For now, however, the headline from Craven Cottage is a winning beginning for Alonso, powered by a front three that made an immediate impression.
