A madcap start at Craven Cottage
Chelsea opened their Premier League campaign with a 3-2 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday night, in a match that defied easy analysis. The game began with Joao Pedro scoring after just 31 seconds, and the tempo never relented, producing what one report described as an 'exhilaratingly unpredictable' encounter.
Chelsea's goals came from Joao Pedro, debutant Morgan Rogers, and Cole Palmer, while Fulham replied through Josh King and debutant Gonzalo Garcia. The result, however, was far from comfortable. Chelsea conceded twice, with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez at fault for both Fulham goals—letting Josh King's shot slip through his arms for the first and parrying Timothy Castagne's effort into the path of Gonzalo Garcia for the second. Fulham's pressing, particularly from Garcia, repeatedly troubled Chelsea's defence, which 'creaked' under pressure. Joshua Acheampong made two important interventions to keep Chelsea ahead.
The match was part of a chaotic opening weekend of the 2026-27 Premier League season, with both teams contributing to a frantic, back-and-forth contest. Chelsea rarely sustained pressure but looked dangerous on the counter-attack, with all three of their goals coming from transitions. Fulham, meanwhile, were 'worryingly thin' in midfield, with only Sander Berge able to hold, yet still produced a performance of substance.
Alonso's first win and the Fernandez question
Xabi Alonso marked his first official Premier League game as Chelsea head coach with this victory, a result that came against former Real Madrid colleague Alvaro Arbeloa. Alonso previously won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, and his Chelsea side—boasting a far more expensive squad than Fulham—ultimately prevailed, though the manner of the win left questions open.
The most significant subplot concerned Enzo Fernandez. Despite Moises Caicedo being out injured, Fernandez started on the substitutes' bench, with Reece James and Romeo Lavia lining up in midfield. The Argentina international was introduced in the second half, where he was jeered by Fulham's fans and cheered by Chelsea's supporters. Alonso, however, downplayed the reaction, saying at his post-match press conference: "Football is emotional, we have to accept in this situation, but for me it's not a big deal."
Alonso preferred to focus on the occasion and his team's performance. "I'm happy to play our first Premier League game of the season, my first official Premier League game with Chelsea," he told reporters. "It felt great in this stadium with our fans at the end, and to celebrate with them. I had the feeling before the kick-off that they were excited, they were hoping to see a good performance from the team, a serious one, one that they could see the team gave everything to fight for it."
On his team selection, Alonso emphasised squad rotation and depth. "We have different options, players that during the pre-season they come in different stages, so all the players will play an important role," he said. "This is about the team, this is about the squad. It's not just that you have 14 players, we need 20 long to compete in this season."
The match coincided with reports that Manchester City are preparing to make a fresh approach for Fernandez. Alonso is unlikely to risk the midfielder in Thursday's EFL Cup second-round tie against Luton Town if a move to City becomes realistic, according to one report, with the manager expected to rotate heavily. It is also unlikely that Caicedo, James, and Lavia will start that game, while Chelsea face Brighton on Sunday.
Title questions and the road ahead
Beyond the immediate drama, the match raised broader questions about Chelsea's prospects. With the club challenging for the title for the first time in a decade, performances like this—impressive in attack but flawed at the back—prompt scrutiny of whether the defensive issues are a structural problem or a one-off. Fulham, meanwhile, face their own concerns, with questions about their relegation risk despite a spirited display.
The game also highlighted the unpredictability of the new season. With so many unknowns across the league, both Alonso and Arbeloa still have much to prove about their teams' long-term prospects, even after this frenetic opener. Chelsea's squad remains active in the transfer market, and one report mused why the club have not moved for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, given Sanchez's errors.
For now, though, Alonso and his players can celebrate a first win, however chaotic its nature. The next few days will show whether Fernandez's situation and Chelsea's defensive frailties take centre stage.