Chelsea Begin Xabi Alonso Era With 3-2 Victory Over Fulham at Craven Cottage

Chelsea began life under new coach Xabi Alonso with a breathless 3-2 victory at West London neighbours Fulham in the Premier League on Monday at Craven Cottage.

“Chelsea began life under new coach Xabi Alonso with a breathless 3-2 victory at West London neighbours Fulham”

Reuters

Reuters said Chelsea got off to a dream start after 31 seconds when Palmer passed to Joao Pedro and the Brazilian flicked the ball over goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Image: AL

AP reported that Morgan Rogers scored on his debut while beating Fulham 3-2 to give Alonso a perfect start to the Premier League season on Monday, with Rogers scoring four minutes before halftime.

AP also said Brazilian João Pedro gave Chelsea the lead after 32 seconds, only for Josh King to equalize midway through the first half, before Cole Palmer made it 3-1 with 49 minutes gone.

Reuters added that Fulham equalised when Josh King beat goalkeeper Robert Sanchez at his near post in the 24th minute, before two of Chelsea's new signings combined in the 41st to set up Rogers.

The match featured a front three that both outlets highlighted, with Reuters describing Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer all finding the net.

AP quoted Alonso calling it “a good first day,” saying, “It is a great combination and great quality,” and adding, “We know that if we reach them in a good position then they have this talent to create special things.”

Image: AP News

AP also quoted Fulham’s Álvaro Arbeloa, who was making his first appearance in the Fulham dugout, saying, “We deserved a little bit more but football is not about what you deserve, it’s about what you take,” and then adding, “This is how we’re going to play no matter who is in front of us.”

Reuters noted that Enzo Fernandez was greeted with loud boos from the home fans when he came on as a substitute midway through the second half.

Reuters further framed the result as Alonso’s win in his first competitive match since taking over at Stamford Bridge, coming at the expense of his former Liverpool and Spain teammate Alvaro Arbeloa.

Reuters said Alonso will hope midfielder Moises Caicedo and new fullback Marco Palestra, who are both injured, will provide more solidity while Sanchez could face an early challenge from Mike Penders.

“Alonso will hope midfielder Moises Caicedo and new fullback Marco Palestra, who are both injured, will provide more solidity”

Reuters

AP reported that Chelsea has spent more than 300 million pounds ($408 million) on new players and is one of the early favorites to challenge champion Arsenal.

AP also placed the fixture in a wider context by noting the derby matched Alonso against his former Real Madrid and Spain teammate Álvaro Arbeloa, who also briefly succeeded Alonso as Real Madrid manager last season.

The Guardian’s match report pointed to Chelsea’s defending as an area to improve, even as it praised the front three of Cole Palmer, João Pedro and Morgan Rogers.T

The Guardian added that “Keep playing this well and Thomas Tuchel will surely name Palmer alongside Rogers for the Nations League games next month,” linking the result to what comes next for Palmer and Rogers.T