Chelsea Survive Fulham Fightback In Five-Goal Craven Cottage Thriller
Chelsea began the Xabi Alonso era with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Joao Pedro gave the Blues a dream start, scoring after just 32 seconds, but Josh King levelled for Fulham in the 23rd minute. Chelsea regained the lead before half-time when debutant Morgan Rogers found the net, before Cole Palmer made it 3-1 early in the second half. Fulham refused to give up, however, as Gonzalo Garcia marked his league debut with a goal to cut the deficit. The hosts pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Chelsea held firm to secure all three points in Alonso’s first competitive match in charge.
Chelsea's head coach Xabi Alonso walks off the pitch after the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Chelsea in London, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Chelsea's Joao Pedro, left, argiues with a line referee during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Chelsea in London, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Chelsea's Cole Palmer, left, and Fulham's Sander Berge battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Chelsea in London, Monday Aug. 24, 2026. | Photo: John Walton/PA via AP
Fulham's Josh King and Gonzalo Garcia celebrate after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Chelsea in London, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. | Photo: John Walton/PA via AP
Chelsea's Cole Palmer, left, celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Chelsea in London, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Chelsea players celebrate after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Chelsea in London, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Fulham players celebrate after a goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Chelsea in London, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Fulham's Oscar Bobb, left, and Chelsea's Reece James fight for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Chelsea in London, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Chelsea's Joao Pedro, left, and Chelsea's Cole Palmer hug after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Chelsea in London, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
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