Xabi Alonso's tenure as Chelsea manager commenced with a thrilling 3-2 victory over local rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage, showcasing a strong performance from the Blues' attacking trio.

Fast Start for Chelsea

Chelsea wasted no time in asserting their dominance, scoring just 31 seconds into the match. Joao Pedro, assisted by Cole Palmer, found the net with a composed finish over Fulham's goalkeeper Bernd Leno, marking Chelsea's quickest Premier League goal since 2016. However, Fulham responded well under the management of Alvaro Arbeloa, with Josh King equalizing in the 23rd minute after capitalizing on a mistake by Chelsea's goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who struggled throughout the match.

Key Contributions from the Front Three

Despite Sanchez's challenges, Chelsea's attacking players shone brightly. Morgan Rogers, who became the most expensive British player in history with a transfer fee of £117 million, scored his first goal for the club just before halftime, assisted by Maxence Lacroix. Early in the second half, Rogers played a crucial role in Chelsea's third goal, flicking the ball to Joao Pedro, who set up Palmer for a precise finish under Leno. Fulham's Gonzalo Garcia did manage to pull one back in the 54th minute, but Chelsea maintained their lead.

Fulham's Late Push

Fulham attempted to mount a comeback, with Antonee Robinson nearly capitalizing on a defensive lapse but missing the target. The match concluded with Rodrigo Muniz's long-range effort being saved, while Joao Pedro had a goal disallowed for offside. Chelsea's front three, particularly Rogers and Palmer, demonstrated their potential, leaving fans optimistic for the season ahead.

Overall, Alonso's first match in charge was a promising start, with Chelsea's attacking prowess on full display despite some defensive frailties.