Rogers scores on debut as Chelsea edge Fulham 3-2

LONDON (AP) — Chelsea’s record signing Morgan Rogers scored on his debut, helping the Blues edge Fulham 3-2 in a London derby on Monday and giving new coach Xabi Alonso a perfect start to the Premier League season.

Rogers, who joined from Aston Villa last month, found the net four minutes before halftime, slotting home a sweet cutback from Maxence Lacroix.

Brazilian forward João Pedro had already put Chelsea ahead after just 32 seconds, but Josh King equalized for Fulham midway through the first half.

Cole Palmer, one of Chelsea’s outstanding performers on the night, restored the lead with 49 minutes gone, firing home from a tight angle after running on to João Pedro’s pass.

Fulham cut the deficit almost immediately — Gonzalo García headed in after Chelsea goalkeeper Sanchez could only parry Timothy Castagne’s low shot — and the home side poured forward in search of an equalizer, but Chelsea held on.

The match also marked a reunion of sorts: both Xabi Alonso and Fulham’s Álvaro Arbeloa are former Real Madrid and Spain teammates, and both were making their competitive debuts as managers in the Premier League. Both men had managed Real Madrid for periods last season before being relieved of their duties at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Alonso came out on top in an entertaining game at Craven Cottage.

Chelsea has spent more than 300 million pounds ($408 million) on new players and is one of the early favorites to challenge champion Arsenal.