Cole Palmer returned to peak form on Monday Night Football, helping Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea kick off the season with a 3-2 win over Fulham in a match that was as chaotic as it was entertaining. The Blues’ attacking line – Palmer, João Pedro and Morgan Rogers – looked like the most lethal unit in the Premier League, each finding the back of the net and showcasing a brand‑new level of confidence.
Palmer, finally free of injury and refreshed after taking a break from England’s World Cup duties, not only scored once but also set up another goal. His performance mirrored the kind of influence he struggled to deliver last season, and his post‑match interview with Sky Sports summed up his mindset perfectly: "Did you not watch the game?" The question underlined how obvious his impact had been.
The opening goal came within the first half‑minute. Palmer, after a quick exchange, slipped a perfect pass to João Pedro, who had just returned to the squad after his surprising omission from Brazil’s World Cup roster.
The early strike set the tone for what would become an unrelenting offensive display. Chelsea’s front three never looked back, constantly pressuring Fulham’s defense and creating chances at a frantic pace. Rogers, making his debut, added his name to the scoresheet just before the break. He timed a late run into the box to meet a cross from Maxence Lacroix, slotting the ball home.
That goal was followed by a clever flick‑on from Rogers that found João Pedro, whose pass once again unlocked Palmer for Chelsea’s third goal shortly after the interval. Despite the absence of Moisés Caicedo, who was a surprise omission for the visitors, Chelsea’s victory was not guaranteed.
Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, whose position as the club’s number one has been under scrutiny, made two costly errors that allowed Fulham to claw back into the game. The first mistake came when Sánchez could only manage a save from a powerful strike by Josh King, conceding an equaliser. Later, a mis‑judged clearance fell straight to Gonçalo Garcia, who finished to make it 3‑2. These defensive lapses highlighted a recurring theme for the new Alvaro Arbeloa‑era Chelsea: a willingness to attack at all costs, but a need to tighten up at the back.
The team’s ability to create chances was evident against their west‑London rivals, yet each goal was preceded by moments where the defence was left exposed. A missed opportunity to equalise arose when Antonee Robinson attempted a chip that Sánchez was unable to claim, leaving the ball to roll harmlessly away.
Both managers offered insight after the match. Arbeloa, speaking to Sky Sports, emphasized his philosophy: "It’s a new project. Time is something we coaches don’t have, but if we continue to play in that way, we’re going to win a lot of games. I’m really happy and proud of my players, what I saw from them.
This is the way I want to play, and we’ll keep playing like this no matter who we face." Alonso echoed a similar sentiment, focusing on the collective effort rather than individual performances: "It’s not about talking about individuals, their situations. It’s about understanding what it takes.
For sure, the first goal we can do better than that, but it’s a process. It’s day one, and normally it’s easier to learn with three points." Key moments of the match included: - 1′ – Lacroix’s header from his own half launched Chelsea forward, and Palmer’s quick pass found João Pedro for the opening goal after just 31 seconds. - 23′ – Josh King’s thunderous drive beat Sánchez at the near post, leveling the score for Fulham. - 41′ – Rogers’ late run into the back post was met by Lacroix’s cross, and the record signing finished unmarked to restore Chelsea’s lead.
- 49′ – After a misplaced challenge by Calvin Bassey, Rogers flicked the ball to João Pedro, whose pass set up Palmer for his second goal. - 54′ – Gonçalo Garcia scored his debut goal when Sánchez inadvertently redirected Castagne’s effort into his own net. - 65′ – Enzo Fernández entered the field to a chorus of jeers, a reminder of his controversial World Cup incident.
- 78′ – Robinson’s attempted chip, with Sánchez out of position, sailed wide, missing a chance to equalise. - 82′ – Palmer, after signaling he needed to be substituted, was taken off for Estevão, ending his impactful cameo.
Overall, the match served as a vivid illustration of Chelsea’s new direction under Alonso and Arbeloa: an aggressive, forward‑focused approach that can produce spectacular goals, but one that must be balanced with defensive solidity. The electric performance of the front three gave the Blues a deserved win and set a promising tone for the rest of the campaign, while also underscoring areas that require immediate attention if they hope to sustain success throughout the season.