Premier League REVIEW 24 Aug 2026: Chelsea Open Alonso Era With 3-2 Win At Fulham

Chelsea began life under new head coach Xabi Alonso with a 3-2 win away at Fulham, Joao Pedro striking inside the first minute before the sides traded blows across an eventful opening day at Craven Cottage. Chelsea led three times, Fulham twice pulled a goal back, and it was Chelsea who held on as the visitors.

Joao Pedro's early finish put Chelsea 1-0 up before J. King equalised for Fulham on 23 minutes to make it 1-1. M. Rogers restored Chelsea's lead just before half-time to make it 1-2, and C. Palmer put the visitors two clear at 1-3 four minutes into the second half. G. Garcia gave Fulham a way back on 54 minutes, but 2-3 was as close as the hosts got.

It was a losing start for new Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa in his first match in charge, while it was a winning first game for Alonso, who arrived at Stamford Bridge over the summer following Chelsea's troubled 2025/26 campaign under three different managers. The result puts Chelsea sixth in the early table on goal difference after one round, level on points with several others on three, while Fulham sit 12th without a point after the defeat.

M. Rogers's goal came from the player who arrived as Chelsea's record signing this summer, and Joao Pedro's opener continued the scoring form that made him the club's top scorer last season.