Alonso begins Chelsea reign with thrilling win over Fulham | OneFootball

Chelsea began Xabi Alonso's Premier League reign with an entertaining 3-2 victory over local rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage, with Cole Palmer starring in a thrilling West London derby.

The visitors needed just 31 seconds to take the lead. Palmer slipped João Pedro through, and the Brazilian produced a composed finish over Bernd Leno for the earliest goal scored by a team in the opening game of a Premier League season.

Fulham responded strongly and levelled in the 23rd minute when Josh King’s powerful effort beat Robert Sánchez at his near post. The hosts continued to threaten, but Chelsea regained control before half-time as Maxence Lacroix’s cut-back found Morgan Rogers, who marked his debut with a low finish.

Palmer then added Chelsea’s third four minutes after the restart. João Pedro released the England international behind the Fulham defence, and he calmly sent the ball through Leno’s legs to cap an outstanding display.

Álvaro Arbeloa's side refused to give up and reduced the deficit five minutes later. Sánchez could only parry Timothy Castagne’s effort into the path of Gonzalo García, who headed in via the crossbar on his debut.

The hosts pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Chelsea held firm. João Pedro had a late effort ruled out for offside, yet it mattered little as Alonso secured victory in his first Premier League match in charge.

Incidents: The story of the match

Fulham Official Line-ups:

Bernd Leno, Timothy Castagne, Jorge Cuenca, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson, César Palacios, Sander Berge, Joshua King, Alex Iwobi, Oscar Bobb, Gonzalo García

Chelsea Official Line-ups:

Robert Sánchez, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Jorrel Hato, Roméo Lavia, Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, João Pedro

Chelsea takes the lead 1-0 against Fulham as João Pedro scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom left corner, assisted by Cole Palmer during a fast break.

1':

The match begins

1':

GOAL Chelsea: João Pedro (Chelsea) scores!

João Pedro scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

The match is now 1-1 between Fulham and Chelsea. Josh King scores for Fulham with a right-footed shot from the right side of the box to the center of the goal, assisted by Timothy Castagne.

23':

GOAL Fulham: Joshua King (Fulham) scores!

Joshua King scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

Chelsea leads 2-1 as Morgan Rogers scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, assisted by Maxence Lacroix.

41':

GOAL Chelsea: Morgan Rogers (Chelsea) scores!

Morgan Rogers scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

Chelsea leads Fulham 3-1. Cole Palmer scores with a left-footed shot from a tough angle on the left side into the center of the goal, assisted by João Pedro.

49':

GOAL Chelsea: Cole Palmer (Chelsea) scores!

Cole Palmer scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches) Cole Palmer scores goal number 55 for his team (132 matches)

Fulham 2, Chelsea 3. Gonzalo García scores for Fulham with a header from very close range into the top left corner.

54':

GOAL Fulham: Gonzalo García (Fulham) scores!

Gonzalo García scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match