Alonso's Chelsea Era Starts With a Thrilling 3-2 Win at Craven Cottage

Chelsea opened the Xabi Alonso era with a 3-2 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage, giving the new manager a victorious start to the 2026/27 Premier League season on Monday night.

It took 31 seconds. That's how long Alonso had to wait for his first competitive goal as Chelsea boss. João Pedro, one of the focal points of the 3-4-2-1 system Alonso imported from his Bayer Leverkusen days — the formation that won him the 2024 Bundesliga title — finished early to silence the home crowd.

Fulham, now managed by Álvaro Arbeloa after Marco Silva's departure for Benfica, did not fold. Josh King dragged them level, punishing a Chelsea side still finding its shape under a manager only weeks into the job.

Then the summer spending paid off. Morgan Rogers, signed from Aston Villa for £117m, marked his debut with a goal to restore Chelsea's lead, assisted by Maxence Lacroix — the £52m defender who also arrived this window. Two big-money arrivals, combining inside the first match. Cole Palmer added a third to give Chelsea breathing room they would ultimately need.

Alonso was without Moisés Caicedo in midfield. Roméo Lavia and Reece James started instead, a pairing that offered drive going forward but left gaps Fulham exploited. Robert Sánchez, in goal, delivered a shaky performance — the kind that will give Alonso an early selection headache, even on a winning night.

For all the attacking quality on show, this was not a clean performance. Chelsea scored three and could have conceded more. The 3-4-2-1 — where three centre-backs sit behind a midfield four, with two playmakers tucked behind a lone striker — is built for control. What Alonso got was chaos, briefly beautiful and frequently frayed.

But the result is what Alonso needed. A first Premier League match, a local derby, a hostile away ground, and three points. The system will sharpen. The new signings will settle. The goalkeeper situation will demand attention. For now, Alonso's Chelsea sit on a win, and Craven Cottage witnessed the first chapter of something that could grow into a compelling story.