Chelsea beat rivals Fulham in final game of Premier League opening round - match report here
Palmer, debutant Rogers and Joao Pedro all score as Chelsea's front three shine
Garcia and King with Fulham's goals - Sanchez at fault for both
Who starred and who struggled? Player ratings here
Highlights and analysis from rest of weekend games | Follow your club
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Palmer shines as Chelsea edge Fulham in Alonso debut win
Game week one = complete.
This live text is done and dusted for tonight. What a time we've had!
We'll be back again on Friday when Crystal Palace host Manchester City.
In the meantime, make sure you keep up to date with all of your content on the BBC Sport website & app.
See you soon.
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Jamie Carragher
Former Liverpool defender on Sky Sports
Cole Palmer, for me, talent-wise is as good as anybody in this country and he was the one when you looked at Thomas Tuchel's squad, he was the one that I thought he should've been taken.
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Gary Neville
Former Man Utd defender on Sky Sports
Maybe it was the best thing that's ever happened to Cole Palmer [missing out on the World Cup squad]. Maybe his career was just drifting a little bit and he gets a massive kick up the backside.
You need a reminder in life that you've got to retain that hunger every single day and there are points in your career where your form drops off and all of a sudden you get a reality check and you realise things don't come easy.
That tonight was the old Cole Palmer. It was unbelievable to watch.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Jamie Carragher
Former Liverpool defender on Sky Sports
We're not saying anything we haven't said for the past three seasons. Chelsea will never win the league with Sanchez in goal - impossible, it can't happen.
When you think of the teams who have won the title, the last three have all changed their goalkeeper; Pep brings Ederson in, Alisson comes in for Liverpool and Arsenal don't win the league if they have Ramsdale in goal and not Raya. Impossible.
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
More from Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso to Sky Sports: "I think overall the squad is balanced and we need to have good foundations from the back and middle to connect with these players, with the special players. They need to have the freedom but as well be responsible to help the team and accept that responsibility and once they get that flow, they connect well.
"We know that they can create many chances, they have this talent, but not just talent they have teamwork so yeah, they have a good start but we can't rely on them. The whole team needs to have stability, have control, quality and sharpness to reach them in the best possible positions."
On Robert Sanchez's performance: "This is all about the team and you know it's not about individual situations - it's about understanding what it takes for sure. The first goal we can do better than that but it's a process. It's day one and normally it's easier to learn with three points."
On the transfer window: "I would love for it to be already closed but it is what it is and we need to be ready for any situation. You never know with football so let's see."
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Gary Neville
Former Man Utd defender on Sky Sports
Xabi Alonso has been brought in as the manager of the football club, not as the head coach, and when you're managing a football club you have to make some pretty brutal and ruthless decisions.
They have strengthened in every position of the pitch but you cannot take a chance on goalkeepers. I've said before it's the most difficult position on the pitch, it's the one that carries the most scrutiny and if you have got a goalkeeper who's making mistakes and is anxious, it will undermine everything you're trying to do.
I think in the next seven or eight days, Alonso will have to make a decision to bring in an experienced goalkeeper because his job is to be successful for Chelsea. He may stick with Sanchez but I think he needs to protect himself.
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I think it was a professional performance. The game had different momentums. To win away in the Premier League is normally tough. We were prepared for that. Happy with the performance. It is a good first day.
"Great combination, great quality. We know if we reach them [Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers & Cole Palmer] in good positions, they have this talent to create special things and I am very happy the three forwards have scored.
"I have really enjoyed his [Palmer] performance. He has played with responsibility, with maturity but as well with freedom. It is very important for me that we get the best from Cole when he takes this role. He feels where he has to be involved and I am happy for him. If we want to have a good team and we need a great Cole.
"It is still a process for sure. We need to keep working, analysing and improving. Every game is a lesson."
On Enzo Fernandez's future: "In football, I am not surprised by anything. We will see. My wish is that we know what will happen for the future but we will see this week."
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Next up for Chelsea is a tricky home game against Brighton - who put four past Aston Villa yesterday.
That game is on Sunday at 14:00 BST.
Fulham travel to Sunderland, also on Sunday.
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, spoke to Sky Sports about how he felt watching that match: "Relaxed? You don't really get relaxed when you have a lead of one goal. It was a really, really intense game and we know what it takes to win away games.
"We have managed well to suffer, to compete and to do whatever it takes in certain moments and that's why it feels great, these three points."
On what he liked from Chelsea: "The early goal helped to get confidence, I think we had a few chances to score the second one before their equaliser but we were quite stable, we were quite comfortable even without the ball and were a threat.
"The three strikers were combining well and creating chances and at the end to know that to win games away you need to roll your sleeves up and fight and defend your goal. It's something we need to do for the future as well and it's a good first day for us."
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Surprising to see Chelsea only having 38% of the ball tonight but they made it count when they had it.
That attack is deadly.
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Chelsea attacker Morgan Rogers, spoke to Sky Sports about playing alongside his close friend Cole Palmer: "It was really nice. It was something we've spoken about for a while, obviously, we've done it on an international level but to do it for the club week-in-week-out and day-in-day-out is an honour really. It's just the start."
On hearing the fans chant his name: "It's nice - you want to settle in as quickly as possible, integrate into the squad and with the fans and feel that affection in the first game and obviously to score is a really nice moment for me."
On Palmer's performance: "Everyone knows how good he is. Obviously, he had a difficult season with injuries and stuff last year and you could see it in his eyes in pre-season and training that he's ready this year and ready to prove people wrong.
"You saw that with that performance - the best player on the pitch by a mile and that's what he does. It's good to have him on our side."
On Xabi Alonso's football: "There's still a long way to go and things we need to learn and get better and improve at but it's a positive start. We've tried to implement how he wants to play but it's a process and it takes time with new players integrating as well. But you want to start well and have a good platform and we did that today."
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We concede goals in the first minute, the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half and there are not worse moments to concede. But we showed character and personality and I am very proud of how my players responded. We deserved a little bit more but football is not about what you deserve, it is about what you take.
"If you lose against a team like Chelsea they [should] have to do a little bit more. For me, they are easy goals for them and mistakes we cannot make. We need to improve and be more ready in the first minute, that is for sure.
"We are on our way and we will keep improving. The first thing I want to see is a competitive team. We were tonight, we tried our best and tried to play our football against a team like Chelsea, which is not easy.
"I believe in them and I believe in young players. I think they have the energy and ambition I want and they fit in the way I play. Josh King is absolutely amazing. What a player you have here and I am really happy with him. Gonzalo [Garcia] scored and Cesar [Palacios] did well. I think they need a bit more time but they are doing great and making an impact already."
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
I bet a few of you have Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer in your fantasy teams.
They were bringing the points in tonight.
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Chelsea’s starting XI had an average age of 24 years and 43 days – the youngest of any side on match day one of this Premier League season. It also puts Xabi Alonso fifth on the list of managers with the youngest XI in their first-ever Premier League game in charge.
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer, speaking to Sky Sports about winning their opening match: "It's important - away game first is always tough but we dug in and got the win."
On playing with his close friend Morgan Rogers: "When you grow up you want to play or do anything with your best friends, so playing football at the best level feels surreal."
How ready are you this season? "Did you not watch the game? I'm only joking, I'm ready you know. It was a difficult season with injuries and whatnot but through the summer and since I've been back I've worked extra hard. Obviously with the injuries I've had to try and prevent them and work extra hard day in, day out.
"I know the talent I've got so I can put in performances like that."
On how hungry he is for the season: "Normally I'm not an emotional person, the people who know me know I'm not usually bothered about things in life, but over the summer I rested, I recharged and yeah I'm ready and I'm hungry."
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Gary Neville seems to think Chelsea should dip into the transfer market and bring a new goalkeeper in after that Robert Sanchez performance.
Jamie Carragher says it's "impossible" for Chelsea to win the title with Sanchez in goal.
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Jamie Carragher
Former Liverpool defender on Sky Sports
There were concerns defensively. They conceded a couple of goals and you can look at the goalkeeper but also the direct play of Fulham worked really well and a lot of balls in behind in the second half.
They have to sort the goalkeeping situation out because it's going to come back to haunt them again, as it did tonight.
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Cole Palmer is given the player of the match award and it's well deserved.
He was back to his best tonight.
Click 'Get Involved' to have your say
That game was reminiscent of some of the games Chelsea played under Lampard's first stint in charge. Entertaining and nerve-wracking.
James, Denver
FT: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers are both talking to Sky Sports right now so we'll have those quotes with you soon.
Palmer says it's a "dream come true" to play football every day with your best friend.
Palmer shines as Chelsea edge Fulham in Alonso debut win
Cole Palmer stole the show as Xabi Alonso's reign as Chelsea manager got under way with a thrilling Premier League victory at neighbours Fulham in their opening match.
The 24-year-old produced a coruscating display at Craven Cottage, laying on Joao Pedro's opener, which arrived just 31 seconds into the game, and scoring what proved to be the winner with a composed finish through Bernd Leno's legs.
Palmer was unplayable at times and Alonso will also be delighted that the club's record summer signing Morgan Rogers marked his league bow with a goal from a cutback by Maxence Lacroix, another debutant.
However, the hosts ensured this was a far from comfortable managerial introduction to the English top flight for Spaniard Alonso.
Fulham's teenage midfielder Josh King, who was impressive throughout, levelled during the first period, with a fizzing shot that beat visiting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez at his near post.
And Gonzalo Garcia, a summer acquisition from Real Madrid, also got off the mark for Fulham when he nodded in from close range to give Alvaro Arbeloa's side hope of taking a point in an end-to-end affair.
However, Chelsea stood firm to register a first win in their opening league match since 2022-23.
Rogers & Palmer star but Sanchez struggles - Fulham v Chelsea player ratings
'To have a good team, we need a great Cole' - Alonso
The opening stages of this contest only confirmed what many had anticipated before a ball had been kicked this term – when Joao Pedro, Palmer and Rogers line up for Chelsea, Alonso has an irresistible attacking triumvirate at his disposal.
After his previous campaign was hampered by fatigue and injuries that ultimately cost him a place in Thomas Tuchel's plans at the World Cup this summer, Chelsea playmaker Palmer delivered an instant reminder of his match-winning talent in west London.
His nonchalant flick set Joao Pedro on his way and his second-half goal underlined a fine performance.
While there was also evidence that Alonso has been able to impress his ideas on the squad with some neat positional interchanges, notably for their second goal, there were also some familiar failings on show.
A lapse of concentration cost Levi Colwill a booking and his manhandling of King shortly after was inadvisable at best for a player already on a yellow card.
There will also be the inevitable inquest over whether Sanchez is a competent enough number one for a club with aspirations of winning the biggest trophies on offer.
The 28-year-old Spaniard had already made an unconvincing start to the new campaign with two elementary distribution errors to put his team under unnecessary pressure, when he left a huge gap at his near post to allow King to drive home an equaliser.
While further errors from Colwill and Sanchez contributed to Fulham's second, fortunately for Alonso, moments of defensive uncertainty were outweighed by the quality of Palmer and co at the other end of the pitch.
We deserved a little bit more - Arbeloa
This was the fourth occasion that Fulham had started a Premier League season with a London derby and they have now lost all four.
However, on the night when Arbeloa was also in a Premier League dugout for the first time - and against the man he replaced briefly at the Bernabeu earlier this year - there were plenty of positives in defeat.
Garcia, a player he recruited from his former employers over the summer made an immediate impression with some excellent movement and exhibited predatory instincts to open his account in England.
In doing so, he became the first player to score on his Premier League debut for Fulham since Chris David in May 2014 against Crystal Palace.
But the standout performer in white was King, who is still only 19, already an England Under-21 international and looks to be a star in the making.
At times, he was Fulham's driving force in midfield and was unfortunate to drag a late effort wide that might have given the home side a point.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
|
Manager:Álvaro Arbeloa
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Xabi Alonso
Formation:3 - 4 - 2 - 1
High chance of scoring
Medium chance of scoring
Low chance of scoring
Dominant period
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
| Minute | Team with most threat |
|---|---|
Kick off 1' | ChelseaGoal |
2' | Chelsea |
3' | Chelsea |
4' | Chelsea |
5' | Chelsea |
6' | Chelsea |
7' | Chelsea |
8' | Chelsea |
9' | Chelsea |
10' | Fulham |
11' | Chelsea |
12' | Chelsea |
13' | Chelsea |
14' | Chelsea |
15' | Chelsea |
16' | Fulham |
17' | Fulham |
18' | Chelsea |
19' | Chelsea |
20' | Chelsea |
21' | Fulham |
22' | Fulham |
23' | FulhamGoal |
24' | Fulham |
25' | Fulham |
26' | Chelsea |
27' | Fulham |
28' | Fulham |
29' | Fulham |
30' | Fulham |
31' | Fulham |
32' | Fulham |
33' | Chelsea |
34' | Chelsea |
35' | Chelsea |
36' | Chelsea |
37' | Chelsea |
38' | Chelsea |
39' | Fulham |
40' | Fulham |
41' | ChelseaGoal |
42' | Chelsea |
43' | Chelsea |
44' | Chelsea |
45' | Chelsea |
45'+1 | Chelsea |
45'+2 | Fulham |
Half time 45'+3 | Fulham |
46' | Chelsea |
47' | Chelsea |
48' | Chelsea |
49' | ChelseaGoal |
50' | Chelsea |
51' | Chelsea |
52' | Chelsea |
53' | Chelsea |
54' | FulhamGoal |
55' | Fulham |
56' | Fulham |
57' | Fulham |
58' | Fulham |
59' | Chelsea |
60' | Fulham |
61' | Fulham |
62' | Chelsea |
63' | Chelsea |
64' | Chelsea |
65' | Chelsea |
66' | Chelsea |
67' | Chelsea |
68' | Chelsea |
69' | Chelsea |
70' | Chelsea |
71' | Chelsea |
72' | Fulham |
73' | Fulham |
74' | Chelsea |
75' | Chelsea |
76' | Fulham |
77' | Chelsea |
78' | Fulham |
79' | Fulham |
80' | Fulham |
81' | Fulham |
82' | Fulham |
83' | Chelsea |
84' | Fulham |
85' | Fulham |
86' | Fulham |
87' | Chelsea |
88' | Chelsea |
89' | Chelsea |
90' | Chelsea |
90'+1 | Chelsea |
90'+2 | Chelsea |
90'+3 | Fulham |
90'+4 | Chelsea |
Full time 90'+5 | Chelsea |
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
Fulham will begin a Premier League season with a London derby for a fourth time, while they have lost each of the previous three: 1-2 away to Arsenal in 2007-08, 0-2 at home to Crystal Palace in 2018-19, and 0-3 at home to Arsenal in 2020-21.
Chelsea were beaten in their most recent meeting with Fulham (1-2 in January in the Premier League) but haven’t lost consecutive games versus the Cottagers across all competitions since a run of three between April 1977 and October 1979.
Fulham have won their opening game in just one of their last six Premier League seasons (D2 L3), beating Everton in the 2023-24 campaign.
Chelsea have failed to win their opening game of the Premier League season in each of the last three seasons (D2 L1), last going four in a row without a win between 1995-96 and 1998-99.
In 2026 so far, only Manchester United (8) have won more Premier League home games than Fulham (6), with the Cottagers winning six of their last nine at Craven Cottage (L3).
Since the start of March, Chelsea have the fewest points of any side not to be relegated from the Premier League last season (7). The Blues lost eight of 11 league games in this period (W2 D1), the most of any top-flight club.
Xabi Alonso is set to be the 27th manager to take charge of at least one Premier League game with Chelsea – overtaking Tottenham Hotspur (26) as the most by any side (counting joint-managers as one). Just two of the Blues’ last eight managers have won their first league game in charge (D4 L2), although both were in London derbies – Graham Potter v Crystal Palace in October 2022, and Liam Rosenior v Brentford in January 2026.
This will be both Fulham’s Álvaro Arbeloa and Chelsea’s Xabi Alonso’s first Premier League match as managers. The pair played 46 league games alongside one another for Liverpool from 2007 to 2009, losing just four of those (W28 D14) – it’s the first time that any manager’s first Premier League game has come against another manager he was a teammate of as a player in the competition.
New Chelsea signing Danny Welbeck is set to feature in his 19th Premier League season, playing at least once in every single campaign since and including 2008-09. This will be the joint-most seasons played in by any striker in the competition’s history, equalling Jermain Defoe (19) and overtaking Peter Crouch (18).
Fulham’s Álvaro Arbeloa and Chelsea’s Xabi Alonso will be the 10th and 11th managers to take charge of a specific Premier League side for the first time this weekend, the outright most on MD1 in a single campaign (excluding 1992-93) in the competition’s history (previously nine in 2012-13 and 2016-17).
