Chelsea opened the Xabi Alonso era with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fulham as Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer all scored at Craven Cottage.
Joao Pedro struck after just 31 seconds, Rogers marked his competitive debut with a goal and Palmer delivered the decisive finish early in the second half.
Josh King and Gonzalo Garcia twice brought Fulham back into contention following errors from Robert Sanchez, but Chelsea held on to begin their Premier League campaign with three points.
Starting the season with a win! ✊#CFC | #FULCHE pic.twitter.com/7qAdYSC569
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 24, 2026
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea: Joao Pedro makes flying start
Alonso’s first competitive Chelsea team included debuts for Rogers and Maxence Lacroix, with Moises Caicedo absent from the matchday squad and Enzo Fernandez on the bench.
As revealed in Chelsea’s confirmed starting XI against Fulham, the new manager selected Palmer and Rogers behind Joao Pedro.
That combination needed barely half a minute to make an impression.
Palmer released Joao Pedro through the middle, and Chelsea’s new No.9 lifted a composed finish over Bernd Leno to give the visitors an immediate lead.
Sky Sports captured Joao Pedro’s rapid opening goal, which set the tone for a breathless west London derby.
Fulham responded in the 23rd minute when King’s low effort found its way beyond Sanchez at his near post.
Chelsea regained the lead four minutes before half-time.
Palmer found Lacroix inside the area, and the centre-back turned away from his marker before pulling the ball across goal for Rogers to finish.
The £117million signing’s first competitive Chelsea goal capped an impressive opening 45 minutes from Alonso’s attacking trio.
Palmer settles derby despite Sanchez concerns
Palmer added Chelsea’s third four minutes into the second half.
Joao Pedro held possession inside the penalty area before slipping a perfectly weighted pass into Palmer’s path. The England international finished through Leno’s legs to make it 3-1.
The move illustrated the attacking understanding Alonso discussed when explaining how Palmer and Rogers could operate together.
Fulham refused to disappear, however.
Sanchez could only push Timothy Castagne’s effort into the path of Garcia, who headed home in the 54th minute to reduce the deficit.
Alonso introduced Fernandez and Pep Chavarria midway through the second half, while Pedro Neto later replaced Malo Gusto as Chelsea attempted to regain control.
Antonee Robinson missed a promising chance to equalise before Sanchez denied Ryan Sessegnon during a tense closing spell.
Chelsea survived the late pressure, securing an encouraging first victory under Alonso despite defensive concerns that will require attention before their next outing.
Fulham scorers: King 23, Garcia 54.
Chelsea scorers: Joao Pedro 1, Rogers 41, Palmer 49.
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