Xabi Alonso began his Chelsea reign with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Fulham in a pulsating west London derby at Craven Cottage on Monday, with Morgan Rogers scoring on his debut.
Joao Pedro gave Chelsea a dream start, firing them ahead after just 31 seconds, before Rogers restored the visitors’ lead and Cole Palmer added a third after half-time.
Fulham threatened a dramatic comeback after Gonzalo Garcia reduced the deficit, but Chelsea held on to give Alonso a winning start in his first competitive match in charge.
Alonso was appointed to revive Chelsea following their disappointing 10th-place finish in the Premier League last season. The former Real Madrid boss, who was dismissed by the Spanish giants after less than eight months in charge, faced a reunion with Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
The pair were team-mates for seven years at Real Madrid and Liverpool and also played together for Spain. Ironically, Arbeloa was promoted from Real Madrid B to replace Alonso after his dismissal at the Bernabeu in January.
Chelsea took the lead almost immediately when Levi Colwill’s header found Palmer, who produced a clever flick into Pedro’s path. The Brazilian kept his composure to beat Bernd Leno with a neat finish.
Fulham levelled in the 23rd minute after Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made another costly error. Josh King’s effort appeared saveable, but Sanchez allowed the ball to squirm through his grasp.
Chelsea responded strongly, with Leno denying Romeo Lavia before Rogers restored their advantage four minutes before half-time.
The £117 million signing from Aston Villa, now the most expensive British player, finished clinically from 10 yards after Maxence Lacroix surged forward and delivered a low cross.
Palmer then made it 3-1 four minutes after the restart, firing into the far corner following good work from Pedro.
Fulham pulled one back in the 54th minute when Sanchez again failed to deal with a weak Timothy Castagne effort, allowing Garcia to head home the rebound on his debut.
The hosts pressed for an equaliser, with King and Antonee Robinson going close, but Chelsea survived a frantic finale to hand Alonso a winning start.
