Xabi Alonso Begins Chelsea Tenure with Thrilling 3-2 Victory Over Fulham

Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, and Reece James celebrated during Chelsea's third goal in London, UK, on August 24, 2026. Chelsea kicked off their campaign under new coach Xabi Alonso with a breathless 3-2 Premier League victory against West London neighbours Fulham, as their exciting front three of Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers, and Cole Palmer all found the back of the net.

Chelsea’s opening league match of the season began brilliantly on Monday when Palmer—returning to form after struggling with injuries last season—passed to Joao Pedro, who flicked the ball over goalkeeper Bernd Leno just 31 seconds into the first half. This marked the fastest goal scored in the opening round of fixtures on Sunday in the Premier League’s 34-year history.

Fulham equalised when Josh King beat goalkeeper Robert Sanchez at his near post in the 24th minute, giving the home supporters something to cheer against their fiercest rivals. However, two of Chelsea’s new signings combined in the 41st minute as central defender Maxence Lacroix advanced down the right flank before cutting the ball back to the club’s 117 million pounds ($159.4m) record signing Rogers, who finished clinically.

Four minutes into the second half, Joao Pedro held up the ball in attack and fed Palmer, who angled a shot through Leno’s legs, highlighting the midfielder's successful recovery after missing out on a place with England at the World Cup. “It was a difficult season with injuries and whatnot, but through the summer and since I’ve been back I’ve worked extra hard,” Palmer told Sky Sports. “Obviously, with the injuries I’ve had to try and prevent them and work extra hard day in, day out. I know the talent I’ve got, so I can put in performances like that.”

Fulham’s Gonzalo Garcia, making his league debut after signing from Real Madrid, gave the hosts renewed hope by heading in after Sanchez could only parry a Timothy Castagne shot in the 54th minute. Fulham later squandered a great opportunity to level the score through Antonee Robinson in the 78th minute, but his chip over a stranded Sanchez sailed wide, allowing Chelsea to hold on for the three points.

Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez—a key player for World Cup runners-up Argentina, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City—was greeted with loud boos from home fans when he entered as a substitute midway through the second half. Alonso’s victory in his first competitive match since taking charge at Stamford Bridge came at the expense of his former Liverpool and Spain teammate Alvaro Arbeloa, who was similarly making his Premier League debut as a coach after briefly succeeding Alonso as Real Madrid manager last season.

Alonso will hope injured midfielder Moises Caicedo and new fullback Marco Palestra will provide added solidity moving forward, while Sanchez could face early competition from Mike Penders, who has returned to Chelsea from sister club Racing Strasbourg.