Xabi Alonso began his Premier League tenure with a 3-2 win at Fulham on Monday and singled out Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers after the new-look Chelsea attack impressed at Craven Cottage.
Joao Pedro gave Chelsea the perfect start by scoring after only 31 seconds, although Fulham responded when Josh King’s 23rd-minute effort squeezed past Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea regained the lead four minutes before half-time. Morgan Rogers marked his debut with a goal, finishing after excellent build-up play from fellow summer signing Maxence Lacroix.
The three forwards then combined for Chelsea’s third shortly after the restart. Rogers flicked the ball into Joao Pedro’s path, and the Brazilian held off the challenge before supplying Palmer, who finished beneath Bernd Leno in the 49th minute.
Gonzalo Garcia reduced the deficit with a 54th-minute goal, but Fulham could not find a third as Chelsea held on for victory.
Chelsea had not won their opening Premier League match since the 2022-23 season. Alonso also became the first Chelsea manager to oversee three goals in his first top-flight game in charge since Maurizio Sarri in August 2018.
Alonso was particularly pleased with the understanding between his attacking players.
“It is a great combination and great quality. We know that if we put them in a good position, then they have this talent to create special things.
“Today I am happy that today all three scored. I really enjoyed his [Palmer] performance. He played with responsibility and maturity, but also freedom.
“It is really important to me that we get the best out of Cole. I am happy for him and if we are going to have a good team, then we need a great Cole.”
Joao Pedro’s opener was Chelsea’s fastest Premier League goal since Pedro scored after 30 seconds against Manchester United in October 2016.
Despite Chelsea’s attacking threat, Fulham remained dangerous on the break. Alvaro Arbeloa’s side recorded an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.34 from 14 attempts, compared with Chelsea’s 1.70 from 18 shots.
“The early goal helped to gain confidence. I think we had a few chances to score the second one before their equaliser, but we were quite stable,” Alonso added.
“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.”
Palmer produced one of Chelsea’s strongest individual performances after missing out on a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup.
His assist for Joao Pedro’s early goal matched the number of assists he recorded throughout the 2025-26 Premier League season. Palmer had managed one assist in 1,965 minutes during that campaign before adding a goal of his own against Fulham.
Since making his Premier League debut for Chelsea in September 2023, only Mohamed Salah, with 15, and Ollie Watkins, with 10, have scored and assisted in more matches than Palmer, who has done so in nine games.
Asked how prepared he was for the new season, Palmer replied: “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 throughout 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.
“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.”
Rogers was also full of praise for Palmer after scoring on his Premier League debut for Chelsea. He became the first player to achieve that feat for the club since Christopher Nkunku against Wolves in December 2023.
The England international also became the first Chelsea player on record since 2003-04 to register at least three shots and create at least three chances in the first half of his debut for the club. Rogers had three attempts and created four chances before the interval.
However, his attention was focused on Palmer’s display.
“Everyone knows how good he is,” Rogers said of Palmer.
“Obviously, he had a difficult season with injuries and stuff last year, and you could see in his eyes in pre-season and training that he’s 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.”
