Chelsea made a winning start to the Xabi Alonso era as Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer all scored in a nervy 3-2 derby defeat of Fulham. The Blues were twice pegged back by goals from Josh King and debutant Gonzalo Garcia, but held on to take three points from their first Premier League outing of the campaign.
It was a hugely positive first step into the Premier League for Xabi Alonso, whose side were impressive if imperfect. He will be thrilled to have Palmer back on the scoresheet, while a variety of other positive debuts from the likes of Rogers and Maxence Lacroix will also aid his mood. The fact Robert Sanchez was at fault for both Fulham goals, though, will give some cause for a sleepless night.
Even Alvaro Arbeloa cannot be too disappointed with his side’s performance. Cesar Palacios and Gonzalo Garcia’s signings were both questioned this summer, but they impressed on debut alongside the imperious King. Catch up with the action as it happened with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith at Craven Cottage.
That does it! It is a winning start for Xabi Alonso.
90+4mins: Neto dances into the box and shoots into the side netting from a tight angle.
There will be four minutes of stoppage time.
90mins: Joao Pedro has it in the back of the net after Quenda’s shot is parried into his path, but the offside flag is up.
90mins: Chelsea win a corner, which Joao Pedro opts to just hold in the corner. He doesn’t last long before Fulham reclaim possession.
89mins: Castagne goes into the book for a cynical foul on the counterattacking Colwill.
88mins: It is getting scrappy in the closing stages here, with Kevin and Estevao going blow-for-blow. Alonso and Arbeloa will be tearing their hair out…
87mins: We are heading into the final stages now, not long left for either side to hold on.
84mins: Sanchez saves well from Sessegnon’s close-range volley. Corner for Fulham.
82mins: And here come those changes, at long last.
And for Chelsea, Quenda and Estevao fill the places of Rogers and Palmer.
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