Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Chelsea Start Xabi Alonso Era With 3-2 Fulham Win
Chelsea won their first Premier League match under manager Xabi Alonso.
They beat nearby rivals Fulham by three goals to two.
Joao Pedro scored for Chelsea just 31 seconds after the game began.
Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer scored the other Chelsea goals.
Fulham answered with goals from Josh King and Gonzalo Garcia.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made mistakes that helped Fulham score.
Fulham almost tied the game, but Antonee Robinson’s late shot went wide.
Chelsea held on and earned the victory.
Chelsea defeated west London rivals Fulham 3-2 in Xabi Alonso’s first competitive match as manager.
Joao Pedro scored after 31 seconds, the fastest goal in the opening round of Premier League history.
Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer added goals for Chelsea, with new signing Maxence Lacroix assisting Rogers.
Fulham scored through Josh King and Gonzalo Garcia after errors by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Fulham nearly equalized through Antonee Robinson, while Chelsea also dealt with injuries and boos for substitute Enzo Fernandez.
- Who
- Chelsea, managed by Xabi Alonso, played Fulham, managed by Alvaro Arbeloa.
- What
- Chelsea won 3-2, with goals from Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer.
- When
- Monday, August 24, in the opening round of Premier League matches.
- Where
- Craven Cottage, in a west London derby.
- Why
- Chelsea were beginning a new chapter under Alonso, while both managers were making their Premier League coaching debuts.
Chelsea’s Perspective
Fulham’s Perspective
Attacking performance
Chelsea’s Perspective
Chelsea’s attacking trio of Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer produced all three goals, and the team attacked with purpose despite using a bold formation.
Fulham’s Perspective
Fulham’s defense conceded three times but kept the match close and created a late opportunity to level the score.
Goalkeeping errors
Chelsea’s Perspective
Chelsea overcame mistakes by Robert Sanchez, including errors involved in both Fulham goals, to secure the win.
Fulham’s Perspective
Fulham benefited from Sanchez’s mistakes, with Josh King and Gonzalo Garcia scoring after the goalkeeper failed to deal with shots cleanly.
New managerial eras
Chelsea’s Perspective
Alonso began his Chelsea tenure with a victory in his first competitive match and defeated his former teammate.
Fulham’s Perspective
Arbeloa also made his Premier League coaching debut and led Fulham in a narrow home defeat against Alonso.
- Result
- Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
- Chelsea scorers
- Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer
- Fulham scorers
- Josh King and Gonzalo Garcia
- Fastest goal
- Joao Pedro scored after 31 seconds, the fastest goal in the opening round of Premier League history.
- Managers
- Xabi Alonso led Chelsea, while Alvaro Arbeloa led Fulham.
- Rogers transfer
- Morgan Rogers joined Chelsea from Aston Villa for £117 million ($159 million), according to the articles.
- Late chance
- Antonee Robinson missed a chance to equalize in the 78th minute.
