Chelsea's first win of the season, and Xabi Alonso's first-ever Premier League victory, came after a hard-fought battle. Fulham refused to back down in West London, but eventually they were forced to surrender. Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro were outstanding, producing excellent performances to help Chelsea secure a crucial win at the start of the season.Chelsea made a flying start at Craven Cottage, taking the lead after just 30 seconds through Joao Pedro. Fulham failed to clear the ball properly, allowing Cole Palmer to collect possession and set up his Brazilian teammate, who calmly finished past Leno to make it 1-0.31 – Timed at 31 seconds, João Pedro has scored the quickest ever goal on MD1 in a Premier League season.Impression. pic.twitter.com/moYzfCa9q4— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 24, 2026 Palmer looked dangerous from the opening whistle and almost doubled Chelsea's advantage moments later. The England international broke down the right flank before firing a shot straight at Leno.Fulham struggled badly with their passing and decision-making during the opening 20 minutes, with Chelsea taking advantage of several mistakes to create chances. However, the visitors were unable to make the most of them.Fulham eventually produced a response in the 20th minute when Joshua King tried his luck from around 20 yards.Sanchez was alert, though, making a good save to turn the effort behind for a corner.Just three minutes later, Fulham were level. King was once again at the centre of the action, this time finding the back of the net to spark celebrations around Craven Cottage. His shot went straight towards Sanchez's corner, but the Chelsea goalkeeper was caught off guard and could only watch as the ball found the net.If Chelsea want to be a serious football club this season, then they need to change goalkeepers.Robert Sanchez will cost this team, time and time again. pic.twitter.com/7L8y1f0UbM— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) August 24, 2026 Chelsea immediately looked to regain control, with Joao Pedro going close in the 30th minute. Palmer once again combined brilliantly with the Brazilian, who met his teammate's delivery with an acrobatic volley, only to see the ball whistle narrowly wide.The Blues then came within inches of restoring their lead in the 36th minute. A dangerous cross dropped just five yards from goal and fell to Lavia, who was left completely unmarked, but Leno produced another excellent save to keep Fulham level.The pressure finally paid off in the 41st minute when Chelsea regained the lead. A superb team move saw Palmer find Lacroix, who produced an excellent run before setting up Rogers. The midfielder made no mistake from close range, scoring his first Premier League goal for Chelsea and sending the visitors into the break with a 2-1 advantage.1 – Morgan Rogers is the first Chelsea player to have 3+ shots (3) and create 3+ chances (4) in the first half of his Premier League debut for the club on record since 2003-04.Impact. pic.twitter.com/s3bnIVVOPu— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 24, 2026 Chelsea came flying out of the blocks after the break and almost restored their two-goal advantage in the 47th minute. Lavia advanced into the final third before finding Joao Pedro inside the box. The Brazilian tried to turn and get his shot away, but his effort was blocked by the Fulham defence.Just two minutes later, Chelsea did find the breakthrough again — and it was a moment of magic from Palmer. Joao Pedro found himself one-on-one inside the box, while Fulham were far too slow to recover. Palmer made the run on the outside, received the ball and calmly sent a low finish beyond Leno and into the far corner to make it 3-1.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Chelsea were suddenly tearing Fulham apart and came close to another goal in the 51st minute. Hato burst forward down the left and had several options available, but he hesitated between shooting and passing, allowing Bassey to recover and clear the danger just before Rogers could get involved.However, Fulham were handed a lifeline in the 54th minute, with Robert Sanchez once again at the centre of the drama. Chelsea failed to deal with a long ball, Castagne fired towards goal and Sanchez could only spill his effort. Gonzalo was quickest to react, calmly finishing from close range to score his first goal for Fulham and make it 3-2.The game remained wide open, with both sides continuing to threaten. In the 72nd minute, Joshua King — who had already scored earlier in the match — made another dangerous run towards the Chelsea penalty area before firing narrowly wide.The boo’s Enzo Fernandez received as he entered the pitch for Chelsea…I don’t think we’ll see that stopping anytime soon. pic.twitter.com/nyz7cgCQpz— george (@StokeyyG2) August 24, 2026 Sanchez then nearly cost Chelsea again in the 78th minute. The goalkeeper came racing out of his area but appeared to change his mind, leaving himself in no-man's land. Robinson spotted the opportunity and attempted to lob him, but the ball drifted just wide of the post.Fulham continued to push for an equaliser and came close again in the 84th minute. Sessegnon found himself with an opportunity from a tight angle and looked to take advantage of Sanchez's uncertain evening, but this time the Chelsea goalkeeper stood firm and made the save.Despite Fulham's late pressure and Sanchez's shaky performance, Chelsea held on to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory in a hugely entertaining second half.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 1FridayArsenal – Coventry 3-0 (2-0)/Havertz 15, Saka 23, Odegaard 49/SaturdayHull – Manchester United 2-0 (2-0)/Ajayi 17, Mendy 38/Everton – Crystal Palace 2-0 (1-0)/Dewsbury-Hall 42, Barry 53/Ipswich – Sunderland 2-1 (1-1)/Emersonn 24, Clarke 90 – Angulo 39/Nottingham Forest – Leeds 0-1 (0-0)/Stach 88/Brentford – Tottenham 3-0 (2-0)/Lewis-Potter 12, Janelt 33, Kayode 49/SundayBrighton – Aston Villa 4-0 (4-0)/Lindelof 8(og), De Cuyper 18, Hinshelwood 30, 31/Manchester City -Bournemouth 2-1 (0-1)/Guehi 84, Gvardiol 90+1 – Tavernier 26/Newcastle – Liverpool 2-2 (1-0)/Elanga 5, Willock 57 – Gakpo 55, Szoboszlai 90' +9 (p)/MondayFulham – Chelsea 2-3 (1-2)/King 23, Garcia 54 – Joao Pedro 1, Rogers 41, Palmer 49/
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