Chelsea got their Premier League campaign off to a flying start under new manager Xabi Alonso, edging out Fulham 3–2 in a thrilling West London derby at Craven Cottage.
The visitors raced out of the blocks when João Pedro brilliantly chipped home inside the opening 31 seconds, setting the tone for a frantic, high-octane encounter.
Fulham fought back resiliently, with Josh King capitalizing on a defensive lapse to level the score before debutant Morgan Rogers restored Chelsea’s lead just before halftime.
The second half continued in the same breathless fashion as star playmaker Cole Palmer extended the advantage to 3–1 shortly after the restart, firing through Bernd Leno’s legs following slick link-up play.
However, the hosts refused to roll over, and debutant Gonzalo García pulled another back for Fulham in the 54th minute to set up a tense finale.
Fulham piled on intense pressure in the closing stages, searching desperately for an equalizer as Ryan Sessegnon and Antonee Robinson tested the Chelsea rearguard.
Despite a late flurry and a disallowed goal for Pedro, Alonso’s side successfully weathered the storm to secure the derby bragging rights and all three points.
