Cole Palmer returned to top form to give Xabi Alonso a winning start as Chelsea edged Fulham 3-2 in a chaotic Monday Night Football clash at Craven Cottage.
The Blues’ new-look front three — Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers — all got on the scoresheet in a match dominated by attacking intent and loose defending. Palmer, fitter after a summer away from England’s World Cup setup, both scored and created, setting the tone inside 31 seconds when his pass teed up Joao Pedro’s opener.
Joao Pedro, arguably revitalised after his unexpected omission from Brazil’s squad, and Rogers, who marked his debut with a composed finish from a late run, combined well throughout. Rogers later flicked a header that released Joao Pedro to find Palmer for Chelsea’s third early in the second half.
Chelsea might have had a more comfortable night but for mistakes from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. He failed to keep out Josh King’s powerful near-post strike midway through the first half and then spilled a rebound straight to Goncalo Garcia, who netted on his Fulham debut to make it 3-2.
Fulham, under new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, showed the attacking philosophy he wants to instil — playing positively and creating numerous chances — but their defensive lapses left them exposed for each Chelsea goal. They came closest to an equaliser late on when Antonee Robinson, with Sanchez off his line, miscued a chipped attempt.
Arbeloa on the game: “It’s a new project. Time is something we coaches don’t have. But if we continue to play in that way, we’re going to win a lot of games. I’m really happy and proud of my players. This is the way I want to play. And we’re going to play [this way] no matter who is in front of us.”
Xabi Alonso declined to single out Sanchez for criticism, stressing the match was part of a process. “It’s not about talking about individuals, their situations. It’s about understanding what it takes. For sure, the first goal we can do better than that. But it’s a process. It’s day one. And normally it’s easier to learn with three points.”
Key moments:
– 0:31 — GOAL: Palmer sets up Joao Pedro to open the scoring.
– 23′ — GOAL: Josh King powers a shot past Sanchez to level.
– 41′ — GOAL: Morgan Rogers finishes Lacroix’s cross to restore the lead for Chelsea.
– 49′ — GOAL: A Rogers flick finds Joao Pedro, who sets up Palmer for Chelsea’s third.
– 54′ — GOAL: Goncalo Garcia scores as Sanchez spills a shot.
– 65′ — Enzo Fernandez is booed as he replaces Romeo Lavia.
– 78′ — Big chance: Robinson’s attempted chip misses with Sanchez off his line.
– 82′ — Injury concern: Palmer is withdrawn and replaced by Estevao after pulling up.
The result was a deserved win for Chelsea, earned largely by an electric attacking trio who combined quickly and decisively. Fulham’s approach suggests they will cause teams problems this season, but the Cottagers must tighten up defensively if they are to turn promising performances into points.