Cole Palmer scored one goal and set up another as Chelsea began the Xabi Alonso era with a 3-2 win over Fulham in an entertaining West London derby at Craven Cottage.
Joao Pedro gave Chelsea the lead after only 31 seconds, lifting the ball over Bernd Leno after Palmer pounced on a loose ball following Fulham’s failure to clear Levi Colwill’s challenge.
It was the fastest goal ever scored by a team in the opening match of a Premier League season. Palmer’s assist also matched his total for the whole of the previous campaign after less than a minute had been played.
Fulham responded in the 23rd minute when Josh King’s low shot slipped past Robert Sanchez at his near post. The Chelsea goalkeeper was at fault for the equaliser and will not want to revisit the moment.
The hosts grew into the game and began to expose weaknesses in Chelsea’s defence. Josh Acheampong made an important block to prevent Gonzalo Garcia from scoring, while Leno kept Fulham level by saving from Romeo Lavia.
Chelsea restored their advantage before half-time through Morgan Rogers, who marked his competitive debut for the club with a composed finish. The £117 million summer signing struck low after Maxence Lacroix created the chance.
Palmer then provided the decisive contribution four minutes into the second half.
Joao Pedro sent the England international through behind the Fulham defence, and Palmer kept his composure before shooting through Leno’s legs to put Chelsea 3-1 ahead.
The goal extended a notable run for Palmer, with all but one of his past 11 goals for Chelsea having come before the 60-minute mark.
Fulham continued to press and were rewarded with a second goal. Sanchez saved from Timothy Castagne, but the ball fell to Garcia, whose header struck the crossbar before crossing the line.
The home side pushed for an equaliser during the closing stages. King and Antonee Robinson both went close, but Chelsea held on to claim all three points.
The result means Alonso became only the third of Chelsea’s last nine permanent managers to win his opening league match. It provides an early boost for the former manager after Chelsea finished 10th last season and endured another period of managerial upheaval.
Chelsea have also reshaped their squad during the summer, with Rogers and Lacroix among the new arrivals. Rogers made an immediate impact on his competitive debut, while Palmer’s decisive display underlined the importance of his role in the campaign ahead.
The victory gives Chelsea a winning start to the season and allows Alonso to begin his Premier League reign with an encouraging derby success. Fulham, despite twice recovering from setbacks and threatening late on, were left to rue defensive lapses as Chelsea’s attacking quality proved the difference.
