Cole Palmer Shines as Chelsea Secure Opening Win Under Xabi Alonso Against Fulham

Cole Palmer delivered a man-of-the-match display to launch new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso's tenure in style with a victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Having missed out on the England selection for the World Cup, Palmer is now firmly back in Thomas Tuchel's plans ahead of next month's Uefa Nations League fixtures. The 24-year-old provided a deft flick just 31 seconds into the game to set up the opening goal for Joao Pedro.

Morgan Rogers, who arrived at the Blues in a British-record transfer over the summer, marked his league debut with a goal following a cutback by fellow newcomer Maxence Lacroix just before halftime. Fulham's teenage midfielder Josh King temporarily leveled the score in the first half with a powerful shot that beat Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez at his near post.

Palmer restored Chelsea's two-goal cushion four minutes into the second half. After collecting a pass from Joao Pedro, Palmer fooled Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno by feigning a layoff before calmly slotting the ball into the net. Although Gonzalo Garcia, a summer signing from Real Madrid, scored his first Fulham goal in the 54th minute, Chelsea held on to claim all three points.

“It was a very professional performance,” Alonso stated after the match. Meanwhile, captain Enzo Fernandez began the game on the bench amid speculation linking him with Manchester City, and received boos from traveling supporters upon replacing Romeo Lavia as a second-half substitute. Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa praised his team's energy and character despite the 3-2 defeat in his first game in charge.