Here is how football.london rated the Chelsea players in their Premier League victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers impressed for Chelsea
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers impressed for Chelsea
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Xabi Alonso got off to the perfect start as Chelsea manager in the 3-2 win at Fulham on Monday evening, with his deadly front three all scoring in a dramatic night at Craven Cottage.
It took Alonso's Blues just over 30 seconds to get the ball rolling. A fine through ball from Cole Palmer found Joao Pedro, Chelsea's new No.9, who marked the signing of his long-term contract extension with his first goal of the new season.
Josh King equalised for the hosts later in the first-half with Robert Sanchez not covering himself in glory in the Chelsea goal, allowing the ball to pass him at the near post.
Chelsea restored their advantage not long before the half-time break. Maxence Lacroix found himself inside the box, remarkably, and played a perfect pass across goal to his fellow Blues debutant Rogers, who smashed the ball into the net.
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Palmer then put Chelsea two goals to the good after some fantastic link-up play with Joao Pedro. However, Fulham hit back through one of their own new signings. Gonzalo Garcia headed the ball into the net after Sanchez parried Timothy Castagne's strike.
Chelsea held on for all three points in a thrilling contest in west London. Here is how football.london rated the Chelsea players' performances in SW6:
Robert Sanchez - Such a poor mistake from Sanchez for King's goal. The low shot was fierce but right at the near post. He cannot be letting that in. Poor for Garcia's goal, also, where he parried it into such a dangerous area for the Fulham forward to head in. 4
Josh Acheampong - Great defending inside 10 minutes to deny Fulham a great chance at goal. Acheampong got across to cover the near post excellently. He did that on multiple occasions in what was an excellent defensive display from the Cobham graduate. 8
Maxence Lacroix - Defended excellently on his official debut. The Frenchman is very good in one-v-one situations and got to showcase that more than Alonso would have liked on the night. An unbelievable dribble and then pass for Rogers' goal. 8
Levi Colwill - Tad fortunate to avoid an early red card for a swipe at Oscar Bobb. Maxence Lacroix, luckily, looked to be covering his defensive colleague. Did alright but the worst out of Chelsea's back three. Suspect for Garcia's goal, where the defender misjudged the flight of the ball. 5
Malo Gusto - Battled well while sometimes lacking composure in possession. 6
Romeo Lavia - Booked, stupidly, very early on. Passed it well. 6
Reece James - Did well defensively while being in the centre of midfield. James would often take it upon himself to cover Acheampong when he went on one of his surging runs from the right side of defence. 6
Jorrel Hato - The Dutchman drove forward with the ball as often as he could from left wing-back. Quiet but battled well. 6
Cole Palmer - He knew exactly where Joao Pedro was for the first goal of the game and played a beautifully-weighted through ball to his teammate, who did the rest. His first assist in the league since February, staggeringly. Guilty of taking too long on the ball and not shooting on a couple of occasions in the first-half. 8
Morgan Rogers - Great for Rogers to score on his Premier League debut. Fantastic position to make it an easy finish. Linked up with Palmer really well. He's got his own chant already - and it's a superb one (to the tune of 'I Just Can't Get Enough by Depeche Mode). 8
Joao Pedro - Beautiful dink inside the first minute to put Chelsea ahead and carry his superb form from the summer into the new season. Could have had one or two more. 8
Enzo Fernandez (on for Lavia 65') - Deafening boos when he came on. Immediately got himself on the ball and looked to gain some control for Chelsea. 6
Pep Chavarria (on for Hato 65') - Lively in an attacking sense. Picked up some great positions at the far post. 6
Pedro Neto (on for Gusto 76') - Played the final 14 or so minutes as the right wing-back. Did the job he needed to do. 6
Estevao Willian (on for Palmer 83') - Not enough time to make an impact. N/A
Geovany Quenda (on for Rogers 83') - Great for him to make his Premier League debut. N/A
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