Chelsea began the Xabi Alonso era with a 3-2 win away at west London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage. Joao Pedro put the visitors ahead within seconds, Josh King equalised for Fulham after a Robert Sanchez error, and Chelsea pulled clear in the second half through Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer before Gonzalo Garcia set up a nervy finish.
It was the first match in charge for Alonso, the former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder who joined Chelsea this summer after managing Bayer Leverkusen. Craven Cottage, Fulham's stadium on the banks of the River Thames, hosted the west London derby.
Joao Pedro needed just 31 seconds to break the deadlock, dinking the ball delicately over Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The Brazilian forward had scored eight goals in eight games during pre-season and almost added a second before half-time, narrowly missing a volley from a Palmer cross.
Josh King Draws Fulham Level
Fulham hit back midway through the first half through Josh King. His first effort from distance was saved unconvincingly by Sanchez, and King kept trying until a shot from 20 yards finally beat the Chelsea goalkeeper.
Sanchez was at fault for the goal, continuing a run of form that has led some Chelsea supporters to call for the club to sign a new goalkeeper.
Chelsea Move Clear After the Break
Chelsea's second goal exposed further problems at the back for Fulham. Defender Timothy Castagne was left ball-watching as Rogers found space unmarked, while Maxence Lacroix, a £52million summer signing, turned Fulham's Jorge Cuenca and crossed for Rogers to make it 2-1.
Palmer then nutmegged Leno to put Chelsea 3-1 up, capping a display in which he twisted and turned past Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson at will. He had already supplied the first-time pass that sent Joao Pedro through for the opener.
Garcia Cuts the Gap
Fulham reduced the deficit through Gonzalo Garcia, a £34million signing from Real Madrid, who reacted fastest after Sanchez could only palm a shot back into the danger area, heading in his first goal for the club.
Fulham pushed for an equaliser and came close in the 78th minute when Robinson was sent through on goal with only Sanchez to beat, but he got his angles wrong and shot wide.
Bookings and Notable Performances
Fulham captain Calvin Bassey was booked for diving as he tried to win an attacking free-kick. Chelsea's Levi Colwill was cautioned inside five minutes for fouling Oscar Bobb, with Fulham fans feeling the challenge merited a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Romeo Lavia picked up an early yellow card for a foul on Bassey, and Reece James was booked after accusing King of feigning a foul.
James, Chelsea's captain for the day, played in central midfield after Moises Caicedo was ruled out with a minor injury. Josh Acheampong, the 20-year-old Cobham academy graduate, made several blocks as Fulham grew into the game, while Jorrel Hato operated in a new role at left wing-back. Fulham handed a full debut in midfield to Cesar Palacios, an £8.6million signing from Real Madrid, who was fortunate to avoid a booking of his own for pulling back Palmer.
Substitutes and Next Steps
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa made four changes, bringing on Shea Charles for Bobb, Kevin for Palacios, Ryan Sessegnon for Berge and Rodrigo Muniz for Robinson. Benjamin Lecomte, Kenny Tete, Harrison Reed, Emile Smith Rowe and Luc De Fourgerolles were not used.
Chelsea brought on Enzo Fernandez for Lavia. Fernandez was booed by the Craven Cottage crowd but applauded and sung by the travelling Chelsea supporters. Pep Chavarria made his Chelsea debut in place of Hato, while Pedro Neto, Geovany Quenda and Estevao also came on. Mike Penders, Valentin Barco, Jamie Gittens and Danny Welbeck were unused substitutes. John Brooks was the referee.
