Xabi Alonso secured a winning start as Chelsea’s new manager with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fulham in Monday’s Premier League London derby driven by a masterclass from his attacking trio.
Brazilian forward João Pedro stunned the hosts by scoring just 31 seconds into the match with finishing a pass from Cole Palmer. Fulham’s Josh King equalized midway through the first half but Chelsea’s record signing Morgan Rogers restored the lead four minutes before halftime to mark his debut in style.
Early in the second half, Pedro returned the favor to Palmer who fired an angled shot past goalkeeper Bernd Leno to make it 3-1. Fulham fought back immediately with a header from Gonzalo García but Chelsea held their nerve to secure the three points.
Following the match, Alonso praised his dynamic front line of Pedro, Rogers and Palmer. “They need to take responsibility and inspire the rest. If they do great, the others will follow,” the Spanish coach told reporters also expressing particular delight at Palmer's return to peak form after an injury-plagued previous campaign.
The match also saw Fulham's new boss, Álvaro Arbeloa Alonso’s former Real Madrid and Spain teammate make his Premier League managerial debut. Despite conceding early and losing the match, Arbeloa commended his team’s energetic, high-pressure approach. "We wanted to win for our fans but this is the way we have to play, no matter who is in front of us," Arbeloa stated.
Backed by a massive £300 million summer spending spree the Chelsea’s dominant attacking display provides early optimism for fans hoping the club will move past last season’s disappointing 10th-place finish and challenge for the title.
