Xabi Alonso enjoyed a winning start to his tenure as Chelsea manager as the Blues edged Fulham 3-2 in a thrilling west London derby at Craven Cottage on Monday.
Joao Pedro scored after just 31 seconds before Morgan Rogers netted on his Chelsea debut. Cole Palmer added a third after half-time, while Fulham’s Josh King and Gonzalo Garcia scored to keep the hosts in contention.
Pedro Gives Chelsea Dream Start
Chelsea needed only 31 seconds to take the lead.
A move involving Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer created space for Joao Pedro, who timed his run perfectly before calmly clipping the ball past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
However, Chelsea’s early advantage was cancelled out in the 23rd minute following a mistake from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Sanchez Error Allows Fulham to Equalise
Josh King capitalised on Sanchez’s error to bring Fulham level.
King’s effort appeared saveable, but Sanchez failed to keep the ball out as it squirmed into the net.
The mistake raised further questions over the goalkeeper’s position after a difficult campaign last season.
Rogers Scores on Chelsea Debut
Chelsea restored their lead in the 41st minute through summer signing Morgan Rogers.
The attack began with Palmer, who turned brilliantly before finding debutant defender Maxence Lacroix. The defender surged forward and delivered a low cross into the area, allowing Rogers to finish clinically from close range.
Rogers celebrated with Palmer’s trademark “ice-cold” gesture, underlining the growing friendship between the two attacking players.
Palmer Adds Chelsea’s Third
Palmer then got on the scoresheet himself just four minutes after the interval.
Joao Pedro held the ball up effectively before Palmer burst into the Fulham penalty area and fired a low effort past Leno from a tight angle.
The goal gave Chelsea a two-goal cushion and appeared to put Alonso’s side firmly in control.
Another Sanchez Mistake Gives Fulham Hope
Fulham refused to surrender and reduced the deficit in the 54th minute after another Sanchez mistake.
Timothy Castagne’s shot was weakly pushed away by the Chelsea goalkeeper, allowing Gonzalo Garcia to react quickly and head in the rebound on his Fulham debut.
The goal set up a tense final half-hour.
Fulham Push for an Equaliser
The hosts created several opportunities as Chelsea struggled to protect their advantage under Alonso’s attacking 3-4-3 formation.
Josh King came close to scoring a second with a powerful long-range effort that narrowly missed the target.
Antonee Robinson also attempted to lob Sanchez, but his effort drifted just wide as Fulham continued searching for an equaliser.
Alonso Wins Battle Against Old Friend Arbeloa
The match also featured an emotional reunion between Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, who was appointed Fulham’s new manager.
The two former teammates played together for seven years at Real Madrid and Liverpool and also represented Spain.
Ironically, Arbeloa was promoted from Real Madrid B to replace Alonso after the latter was dismissed by the Spanish club in January.
Rogers and Palmer Offer Chelsea Attacking Promise
One of the biggest positives for Chelsea was the chemistry between Rogers and Palmer.
Rogers operated on the left side of Chelsea’s three-man attack, with Palmer on the right and Pedro playing centrally.
The attacking trio combined effectively and gave Chelsea a dynamic threat throughout the match.
Palmer will also be keen to rebuild his reputation after a difficult previous campaign that saw him miss out on England’s World Cup squad.
Alonso Gets Perfect First Impression
Alonso was appointed to revive Chelsea after the club’s disappointing 10th-place Premier League finish last season.
The former Real Madrid manager also has a point to prove after his short spell at the Spanish club ended with his dismissal after less than eight months.
His first competitive match in charge of Chelsea produced plenty of attacking quality, although defensive mistakes remain a concern.
The 3-2 victory over Fulham gives Alonso an encouraging start as he looks to guide Chelsea back into contention for Champions League qualification.