Xabi Alonso's debut as Chelsea manager saw his side secure a 3-2 victory against west London rivals Fulham in a Premier League match at Craven Cottage. Joao Pedro opened the scoring within seconds, followed by goals from Morgan Rogers on his debut and Cole Palmer. Fulham responded with strikes from Josh King and Gonzalo Garcia, making it a competitive derby. Despite Fulham's efforts to equalize, Chelsea held on to ensure a winning start for Alonso and their Premier League campaign. Key players like Robert Sanchez, Maxence Lacroix, and Reece James were instrumental, while Marco Palestra and Moises Caicedo missed the game due to minor setbacks. The Blues now prepare for a Carabao Cup fixture against League One side Luton Town.
