Xabi Alonso secured victory in his first Premier
League match as Chelsea manager as the Blues edged Fulham 3–2 in a dramatic
west London derby at Craven Cottage on Monday.
João Pedro gave Chelsea the perfect start, scoring
just 31 seconds into the game after combining with Cole Palmer. Fulham
responded in the 23rd minute when Josh King capitalised on a mistake by Chelsea
goalkeeper Robert Sánchez to level the score.
Morgan Rogers restored Chelsea’s lead shortly before
half-time, scoring on his debut following a well-worked move involving Palmer
and new defender Maxence Lacroix.
Palmer then extended Chelsea’s advantage four minutes
after the restart, finishing from a tight angle to make it 3–1.
Fulham pulled one back in the 54th minute after
another Sánchez error, with debutant Gonzalo García heading in the rebound
after the goalkeeper failed to hold Timothy Castagne’s effort.
Chelsea survived a tense final period as Fulham pushed
for an equaliser, with King and Antonee Robinson coming close, but Alonso’s
side held on for all three points.
The victory provides Alonso with an encouraging start
as he attempts to revive Chelsea following their disappointing 10th-place
finish in the Premier League last season.
Rogers, who joined Chelsea from Aston Villa for a
reported £117 million, impressed on his debut alongside Palmer and Pedro in an
attacking front three.
Alonso and Fulham boss Álvaro Arbeloa also renewed an
old friendship on opposing touchlines, having previously played together at
Real Madrid and Liverpool and represented Spain.
Final score: Fulham 2–3 Chelsea.
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