Cole Palmer scores and assists as Xabi Alonso begins his Premier League reign with a dramatic victory in the West London derby

Cole Palmer inspired Chelsea to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, August 23, 2026, scoring one goal and creating another as new manager Xabi Alonso began his Premier League reign with an encouraging West London derby win.

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The victory gave Alonso a winning start in his first Premier League match in charge of Chelsea and made him only the third of the club’s last nine managers to win his opening league fixture.

For Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa, the match marked a more difficult introduction to Premier League management, with both Spaniards making their competitive league debuts for their respective clubs.

Chelsea made an extraordinary start, taking the lead after just 31 seconds.

João Pedro produced a composed finish after Palmer picked him out inside the Fulham penalty area. Levi Colwill had returned a Fulham clearance into the danger zone before Palmer supplied Pedro, who delicately lifted the ball over goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

The finish created an early piece of Premier League history, becoming the earliest goal scored by a team in its opening match of a Premier League season.

Palmer nearly doubled the advantage soon afterwards, but Leno stood firm to keep out his effort.

Fulham gradually settled into the contest and began exploiting uncertainty in the Chelsea defence. Robert Sánchez, in particular, looked uncomfortable in goal and was beaten in the 23rd minute.

Josh King’s low effort found the near corner to bring Fulham level and give the hosts renewed belief.

The home side then began to threaten more consistently, with Josh Acheampong producing an important block to deny new signing Gonzalo García what would have been a memorable debut goal.

Chelsea regained their composure before the break, with João Pedro going close with a volley before Leno produced another save to deny Roméo Lavia at close range.

The visitors eventually restored their advantage four minutes before half-time.

Maxence Lacroix cut the ball back into the area and Morgan Rogers finished with a low strike beyond Leno, giving Chelsea a 2-1 lead.

The goal was another positive moment for Chelsea’s summer recruits and provided Alonso with a crucial advantage heading into the interval.

Palmer then delivered the decisive blow four minutes after the restart.

João Pedro released the England international behind the Fulham defence, and Palmer kept his composure to finish through Leno’s legs and put Chelsea 3-1 ahead.

The England forward’s contribution underlined his importance to Chelsea’s attacking plans as Alonso begins reshaping the side.

Fulham, however, refused to disappear from the contest.

Five minutes after Palmer’s goal, García reduced the deficit after Sánchez parried Timothy Castagne’s effort into his path.

García headed the rebound onto the crossbar and into the net, keeping Fulham’s hopes of earning at least a point alive.

The goal also maintained a remarkable personal record for the Spanish forward, with all seven of his career league goals having come at home.

Fulham continued pushing for an equaliser as the second half progressed.

King came close again with 18 minutes remaining when his low effort narrowly missed the post, while Antonee Robinson later attempted to catch Sánchez off his line with a lob that bounced wide.

Chelsea survived the late pressure and appeared to have added a fourth goal in stoppage time when Pedro found the net.

The effort, however, was ruled out for offside.

The disallowed goal proved immaterial as Chelsea held on to claim their first opening-day Premier League victory since 2022.

The result also maintained Chelsea’s strong recent record at Craven Cottage. The Blues have now won seven of their last nine visits to Fulham’s home ground, suffering only two defeats during that run.

For Alonso, the result provides an early boost as he begins the task of establishing his authority at Stamford Bridge.

For Arbeloa, the defeat offered evidence of Fulham’s attacking potential but also highlighted defensive weaknesses that will need attention after a demanding opening-day encounter.

Fulham’s loss also extended an unwanted record. The club have now suffered defeat in each of their last four Premier League season-opening London derbies.

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Chelsea, meanwhile, leave Craven Cottage with three points, a confidence-building start under their new manager and a reminder that Palmer remains capable of influencing the biggest moments.