Chelsea opened the Xabi Alonso era with a 3-2 win over Fulham, a result that felt as sharp at the front as it was fragile at the back. João Pedro scored after 31 seconds, Morgan Rogers later struck his first goal since his move from Aston Villa, and Chelsea had just enough to survive a derby that never settled.
That is why Cole Palmer is being searched now. He looked rested, dangerous and determined after last season’s injury woes kept him out of England’s World Cup squad, and his role in the opening goal showed why he matters so much to Chelsea’s attack. Palmer created the move that João Pedro finished, and if he keeps this level, Thomas Tuchel may be tempted to pair him with Rogers for England’s Nations League games next month.
The performance had the edge Alonso wanted, and it also carried the shape he has trusted before. Chelsea used a 3-4-2-1 system, with Malo Gusto and Jorrel Hato as wing-backs, while Moisés Caicedo was absent from midfield and Roméo Lavia made a rare start alongside Reece James. Maxence Lacroix also made his debut and set up Rogers, giving Chelsea a second attacking route that Fulham struggled to handle.
But the victory did not disguise the problem Alonso now has to solve. Fulham equalized through Josh King from a tight angle, and Robert Sánchez struggled to stop it. Chelsea’s defending left much to be desired throughout, with Levi Colwill and Lavia booked inside the first 12 minutes and Fulham still carrying enough intensity and quality to stay in the contest. The match had the feel of a wild Premier League derby: high class in attack, mistakes in the spaces behind it.
Alonso said his players delivered a mature performance, but he also made clear that the work is not finished, saying it was down to the team to defend better as a collective. That is the real story of Chelsea’s first win under him: they can score fast, they can hurt opponents and they can win a derby, but until the shape behind the front three tightens, they will keep inviting trouble into games they should control.
