Chelsea kicked off their Premier League campaign and a new era under Xabi Alonso with an entertaining 3-2 win over Fulham.
Joao Pedro sealed dream start as he capitalised on dreadful defending by Fulham to lash home the opener just 32 seconds in.
But Fulham bounced back from falling behind early as youngster Josh King fired home an equaliser 20 minutes early past a hapless Robert Sanchez, who looked nervy throughout and should have saved the effort.
Chelsea’s record signing, £117m man Morgan Rogers, put the visitors back in front shortly before half-time as two debutants combined: ex-Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix cut it back for the former Aston Villa star to slot home.
Palmer was rewarded for a brilliant performance as he added a third shortly after the restart to go with his assist for Joao Pedro’s opener, but Fulham came back once again and Gonzalo Garcia was another to score on his debut as he punished Sanchez for another error five minutes later.
Joao Pedro had a second goal ruled out for offside in the closing moments as both teams threatened late on, but ultimately the Blues clung on to a victory that will nonetheless give Alonso some cause for concern.
Follow all the latest from Craven Cottage with our live blog below:
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Fulham v Chelsea LIVE
- Chelsea win entertaining top-flight London derby to kick off Alonso era
- '54 GOAL! Gonzalo Garcia punishes Robert Sanchez error to score on debut [FUL 2-3 CHE]
- '49 GOAL! Cole Palmer nets Blues' third as Chelsea front line shine [FUL 1-3 CHE]
- '41 GOAL! Morgan Rogers scores on Blues debut [FUL 1-2 CHE]
- '23 GOAL! Josh King lashes in equaliser [FUL 1-1 CHE]
- '1 GOAL! Joao Pedro fires home opener after just 32 seconds [FUL 0-1 CHE]
What Chelsea’s madcap win over Fulham proves about new era of Premier League - and their title chances
22:27 , Miguel DelaneyXabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa may know each other well but, even after a Chelsea win away to Fulham, the rest of us still don’t know much at all about their teams’ prospects for the season.
On a chaotic opening weekend of the 2026-27 Premier League, this simply took the mayhem to a maximum. Joao Pedro immediately scored after 31 seconds and it never really let up.
Miguel Delaney reports from Craven Cottage:
What Chelsea win v Fulham proves about new Premier League - and their title chances
Cole Palmer equals last season's assist record
23:15 , Flo CliffordCole Palmer has been through some tough times of late but looked back to his best today.
By registering an assist just 30 seconds into this campaign he equalled his record for the entirety of last season, one in 1,965 minutes.
Results after gameweek 1
23:00 , Flo Clifford- Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
- Hull 2-0 Manchester United
- Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace
- Ipswich 2-1 Sunderland
- Nottingham 0-1 Leeds
- Brentford 3-0 Tottenham
- Brighton 4-0 Aston Villa
- Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth
- Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool
- Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Alonso defends Sanchez after Chelsea warned goalkeeping errors will ‘haunt’ title charge
22:50 , Flo CliffordChelsea manager Xabi Alonso defended goalkeeper Robert Sanchez after two errors in the Blues’ Premier League win over Fulham.
The Alonso era began with an all-out attacking display and excellent performances from the front three of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and £117m summer signing Morgan Rogers, who all got on the scoresheet at Craven Cottage.
But Chelsea were also exposed defensively and Sanchez was twice punished for mistakes as Fulham fought back.
Alonso defends Sanchez after Chelsea warned goalkeeping errors will ‘haunt’ them
Cole Palmer tells Sky Sports
22:42 , Flo CliffordAsked how ready he was for this season, he jokes: “Did you not watch the game? I'm only joking, I'm ready. It was a difficult season with injuries and whatnot but through 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.”
Gary Neville on Chelsea's transfer window
22:36 , Flo Clifford“They've added an experience player in centre back, centre midfield and centre forward.
“I don't know if Emi Martinez is available or not but someone like that needs to come in at Chelsea, because that [goalkeeper issues] will undermine everything they do.
“The positives for Fulham came from the encouragement Sanchez gave them with the goals. The goals were both mistakes. It's a problem.”
Jamie Carragher reacts:
22:33 , Flo Clifford“There were things to really like. On paper, that [Chelsea] front three is sensational. It really is. It looked it in the game. I think Joao Pedro is fantastic. Rogers' first game, what a start. But when you think of him, Palmer and Pedro - that's as good as anything in the Premier League right now.
“But I do think [there are] concerns defensively. They conceded a couple of goals and you look at the goalkeeper. They have to sort the goalkeeper issue out because it's going to come back to haunt them this season, as it did tonight.”
Gary Neville on 'sensational' Cole Palmer
22:22 , Flo Clifford“The attacking play, Cole Palmer, sensational. If you talk about Cole Palmer getting back to his best you've got a £120m-£125m player there.
“Rogers getting a goal. Those two being electric with Joao Pedro up front. The front three were brilliant tonight. One of the best things I've seen this weekend.”
Fulham vs Chelsea player ratings
22:15 , Will CastleXabi Alonso got his Premier League managerial career off to a winning start as Chelsea overcame local rivals Fulham in a five-goal thriller.
Here’s how the players rated at Craven Cottage:
Fulham vs Chelsea player ratings as two Blues debutants star with 8/10
Encouraging first glimpse at Xabi-ball
22:11 , Will Castle at Craven CottageThat was far from the perfect performance, but Chelsea fans will absolutely take encouragement from that display as the Xabi Alonso era officially begins.
They stood out in attack, with the trio of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and record signing Morgan Rogers doing the business despite the Blues not having many real periods of sustained pressure.
The glaring problem, however, remains in between the sticks.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
22:08 , Flo CliffordA thoroughly entertaining game all round. 32 shots, 12 on target - six apiece - while Fulham dominated possession with 61%; Chelsea had only 39% but did make it count.
FULL-TIME! Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
22:00 , Flo CliffordJoao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer on the scoresheet for Chelsea, who kick off life under Xabi Alonso with an entertaining win and great performances from their forward line.
But Fulham were more than equal to them for much of that game in an encouraging beginning to the post-Marco Silva era, despite the result.
FULL-TIME! Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:55 , Flo Clifford‘90+4: Muniz goes for a long-range attempt but Sanchez catches it.
And that’s all! A thoroughly entertaining game, strong on the attacking front, not so good at the back from both sides.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:51 , Flo Clifford‘90: Pedro has it in the net after Leno saves an attempt from Quenda, but the flag goes up. Joao Pedro isn’t happy.
Four minutes added on.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:49 , Flo Clifford‘90: Bit of timewasting by Chelsea, who mess about with an incredibly short corner routine after Sessegnon concedes a sloppy set-piece.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:48 , Flo Clifford‘89: Castagne gets a yellow for a scrappy foul on Colwill.
SAVE! Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:44 , Flo Clifford‘84: Close from Fulham! Sessegnon volleys tidly over Acheampong but plays a shot straight at Sanchez.
The resulting corner is cleared.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:42 , Flo Clifford‘83: More changes. Quenda makes his debut, coming on for Rogers, and Estevao replaces Palmer, who has been limping for the last couple of minutes.
Robinson goes off for the hosts, with Muniz coming on.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:40 , Flo Clifford‘81: Gasps all around as Palmer pulls up with what looks like cramp. He gestures to the bench to say he needs to come off.
WIDE! Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:37 , Flo Clifford‘78: Robinson latches onto a long ball forward and volleys goalward, with Sanchez in absolute no-man’s-land, but he goes wide!
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:36 , Flo Clifford‘76: Bassey goes down under minimal contact from Fernandez on the edge of the box and is booked for a dive.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:35 , Flo Clifford‘76: James - who hasn’t gone off at all, in fact - goes in the book for a clear foul on King, and gives both the Fulham youngster and the ref a bit of lip for it, for some reason.
Pedro Neto comes on for Gusto now.
CLOSE! Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:33 , Flo Clifford‘73: King darts into the centre of the box and flashes an attempt narrowly wide! Fulham are by no means out of this.
Now Palacios is replaced by Kevin, and Sessegnon comes on for Berge.
Enzo Fernandez given decidedly mixed reception
21:30 , Will Castle at Craven CottageDeafening boos mark the arrival of Enzo Fernandez before chants of ‘England, England’ ring around Craven Cottage. One shout calls on a player in white to 'take a red card' to, presumably, maim the Argentinian midfielder.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:27 , Flo Clifford‘68: Chelsea fly forward again. The ball falls to Chavarria on the left, but his cross falls to no-one.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:26 , Flo Clifford‘67: Shea Charles, formerly of Southampton, gets a nice reception from the home fans as he comes on for Oscar Bobb.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:25 , Flo Clifford‘65: Changes! Enzo Fernandez is roundly booed by the home support as he comes on for Lavia, although there’s a positive reception from the travelling fans.
Chavarria makes his debut too. Lavia and James are off.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:23 , Flo Clifford‘63: Palmer flies down the right and chips the ball goalward but Leno collects.
Alonso is having a chat with Fernandez on the bench...
Scrutiny on Robert Sanchez
21:20 , Will Castle at Craven CottageRobert Sanchez is the glaring problem with this Xabi Alonso team. Another howler, parrying Timothy Castagne's shot straight back out to Gonzalo Garcia to head in the rebound, has pressure back on the Blues. He is getting mocking jeers every time he goes near the ball.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:17 , Flo Clifford‘57: Like in the first half, Fulham have refused to drop their heads after going behind. First Robinson whistles a cross into the box, then the hosts drive forward again, but Sanchez - this time - collects an attempt.
Now Fulham have a corner... Sanchez catches at the back post.
GOAL! Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:15 , Flo Clifford‘54: Well! Another debutant, another goal!
And another Sanchez error. Colwill is at fault for not dealing with a long ball as Castagne fires at goal; the keeper knocks his effort down into the danger area and debutant Garcia is on hand to tap home the rebound. Game on!
Fulham 1-3 Chelsea
21:13 , Flo Clifford‘53: Xabi Alonso is serenaded by the Chelsea fans.
SAVE! Fulham 1-3 Chelsea
21:12 , Flo Clifford‘52: Chelsea have made a great start to this half. Fulham are cut open again and Hato is in space but Bassey tracks back and does brilliantly to cut it out before Rogers can shoot.
GOAL! Fulham 1-3 Chelsea
21:09 , Flo Clifford‘49: He has a goal now, though!
Palmer has looked electric all evening and has just been missing a goal - but he’s back, and so is that celebration.
Joao Pedro holds the ball up well, threads the ball through to Palmer as the Englishman runs past and hammers home past Leno.
WIDE! Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
21:08 , Flo Clifford‘48: Palmer takes the pall ofn the spin, sits down two defenders and has a go, but can’t get the curl on it as the ball whistles wide of the post and a sprawled Leno.
Palmer protests that it took a touch off a defender. Nothing doing.
Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
21:07 , Flo Clifford‘47: More of the same, please.
Joao Pedro fancies another early goal, but is blocked, then protests that it came off Castagne’s arm... nothing doing.
SECOND HALF: Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
21:05 , Flo CliffordBack underway!
FULL-TIME: Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
20:50 , Flo Clifford‘45+2: Sparkling debuts for £117m man Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix, with a goal and assist on debut respectively, while Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro have looked excellent too.
Chelsea lead 2-1 at the break after a fast and furious half, but Fulham were the better side for a solid spell despite going behind early and Josh King has certainly given the home fans something to cheer about.
Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
20:48 , Flo Clifford‘45: Two minutes added on to this half.
CLOSE! Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
20:47 , Flo Clifford‘44: Palmer fancies a goal of his own and now leathers one wide of the post. Leno was marooned in the centre there, with no chance of saving had it gone in.
Lacroix and Rogers make their mark
20:45 , Will Castle at Craven CottageThat's not what Chelsea signed Maxence Lacroix for, but Xabi Alonso will not be complaining. The big French centre-back looks like a playmaker as he sends his man in the box, pulls one back from the byline and gives fellow new boy Morgan Rogers a relatively simple finish. Debut assist, debut goal.
GOAL! Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
20:43 , Flo Clifford‘41: Rogers has his first goal for Chelsea!
That’s unfortunate for Fulham, who are carved open at the back. Palmer sets it up with a smooth run, Lacroix cuts it back across goal with Leno closing him down, and record signing Rogers is in acre of space to blast home a goal on his Blues debut. Alonso looks very pleased.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:41 , Flo Clifford‘40: Chelsea set-piece in the middle of the park. Headed away.
Sanchez boots the ball forward to Pedro, Bassey tracks it but ends up giving it away and is left sprawled on the turf. Now King clips Pedro and concedes the free-kick. And breathe.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:37 , Flo Clifford‘36: Colwill has his arm up and pushes over King as they vie for the ball, and that’s very cynical, but he gets away with it. Lucky as he’s already on a yellow...
Chelsea have a corner, it falls to Lavia in the box and he lashes out at very close range - but Leno makes the block! Corner to Chelsea... Leno punches away James’ delivery.
SAVE! Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:35 , Flo Clifford‘34: Rogers drives forward into the centre of the box, has a pop but is blocked, then James catches the rebound and volleys at Leno - but the keeper grabs hold of it.
CLOSE! Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:33 , Flo Clifford‘32: Palmer combines with Pedro again, putting it on a plate for him, but he lashes past the post!
Now Robinson floats a ball goalward and Sanchez sprints out to punch it away! Chelsea look so uncomfortable at the back.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:31 , Flo Clifford‘30: Acheampong makes a crucial block to deny Garcia, before Bassey floats a great long pass almost down the entire length of the pitch, with King racing onto it.
Out for a Fulham corner... King is having a great time out there. Palmer wins a free-kick from the corner.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:30 , Flo CliffordFulham have had 82% possession in the last five minutes. This game has been turned on its head. They look so much more lively and Chelsea frazzled.
Chelsea's goalkeeping woes continue
20:28 , Will Castle at Craven CottageRobert Sanchez already looked like he had a howler in him after he produced a dodgy stop to deny Josh King. But at least he stopped it on that occasion - not the case for King's next effort.
Chelsea were coming under more and more pressure after such a bright start, but that should never be going in at the Spaniard's near post.
GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:25 , Flo Clifford‘23: It’s certainly been coming, and of course it’s King, who has been an absolute livewire so far!
He plays a great one-two with Castagne before darting in down the right and lashing home a lovely finish. Sanchez dives and gets his hand to it and really, really should do better to keep it out.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:23 , Flo Clifford‘22: King fizzes a pass across the face of goal but there’s no one there to capitalise... Chelsea don’t clear it though and it falls to Berge, who has a go on the spin, but is blocked.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:21 , Flo Clifford‘20: Chelsea win it back... Rogers repeatedly tries to tee up Palmer and eventually manages it, but Fulham get back in numbers just in time. This Chelsea front three is looking very dangerous.
Now Fulham win it back, King has a shot and it’s awkward for Sanchez, but he palms it away! End to end.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:19 , Flo Clifford‘18: King tries to release Garcia in the final third but is cut out. Half-chance for Fulham.
Now Hato launches forward but runs out of room... this has been played at a pretty smart pace so far.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:16 , Flo Clifford‘15: Sanchez chases down a ball at the byline but lets it go out! Poor positioning from the Chelsea keeper. It’s a Fulham corner... Bobb’s delivery doesn’t beat the first man.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:14 , Flo Clifford‘13: Palmer sends a long ball over the top to Pedro but Bassey tracks back well to block.
Lavia gets a yellow for a, let’s say, robust challenge on Bassey. He gets a little bit of the ball but a lot more of the man, and has the audacity to look surprised at his punishment.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:11 , Flo Clifford‘11: Mayhem in the box! Chelsea are punished for a loose pass by Hato in their penalty area but despite the best efforts of several Fulham shirts it’s kept out. Corner to the hosts... Bobb’s delivery is well claimed by Sanchez.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:09 , Flo Clifford‘8: Chelsea have been rampant. Palmer now has a dink at goal but Leno just about holds onto it, and does so for quite some time, trying to calm things down a touch.
Dream start for Xabi Alonso's Blues
20:08 , Will Castle at Craven CottageThe Xabi Alonso era is off to the perfect start. Craven Cottage was in the mood for all of 40 seconds, amped up by another stirring tribute to Kevin Keegan, before Joao Pedro silenced the Fulham faithful.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:06 , Flo Clifford‘5: Into the book goes Colwill, who goes crunching in on Bobb. The Fulham fans are in need of something to shout about and their protestations have the desired effect.
Free-kick to the hosts... Iwobi clips it in but it’s headed away.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:05 , Flo Clifford‘4: Danger for Fulham, who have really been caught napping. A speculative effort goes wide but Chelsea have an early corner. It’s played short and recycled, with Rogers, James and Palmer all involved, but comes to naught.
GOAL! Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:03 , Flo Clifford‘1: Wow! What a start for Chelsea!
It’s Cole Palmer who pounces on a loose ball from Fulham and new No 9 Joao Pedro latches onto a lovely pass before firing home!
Chelsea looking to avoid unenviable record
19:43 , Will Castle at Craven CottageNot since the opening weekend of the inaugural Premier League season in 1992/93 have three of the traditional top six lost their first league games.
Liverpool scored a last-second penalty to avoid being the third to fall after Tottenham and Man United suffered bruising defeats. Chelsea could still play their part in achieving a 34-year low for the big hitters of today.
Premier League results so far
19:33 , Flo CliffordWith one match left to go of the first gameweek, here’s a quick recap of the action so far:
- Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
- Hull 2-0 Manchester United
- Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace
- Ipswich 2-1 Sunderland
- Nottingham 0-1 Leeds
- Brentford 3-0 Tottenham
- Brighton 4-0 Aston Villa
- Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth
- Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool
Good afternoon
17:29 , Flo CliffordHello and welcome to live coverage of Fulham v Chelsea, as both clubs begin their Premier League campaigns with a London derby.
