Xabi Alonso kicked off his Premier League managerial career with a thrilling victory as Chelsea defeated local rivals Fulham in a five-goal showdown on October 1, 2023.

Chelsea struck early, taking the lead within just 31 seconds when Joao Pedro deftly finished a pass from Cole Palmer. However, Fulham equalized through Josh King, who capitalized on a defensive error by Robert Sanchez.

The Blues regained control with a goal from debutant Morgan Rogers, assisted by Maxence Lacroix, who showcased his playmaking skills. After Palmer scored a third for Chelsea, Gonzalo Garcia managed to pull one back for Fulham, but Chelsea held firm to secure the win.

Player Ratings

Chelsea:

• Robert Sanchez - 4: Struggled with basic saves and conceded a needless goal.
• Maxence Lacroix - 8: Solid defensively and assisted for Rogers’ debut goal.
• Cole Palmer - 9: Instrumental in attack, scored a crucial goal.
• Joao Pedro - 8: Scored the opener and assisted Palmer.
• Morgan Rogers - 8: Impressive debut with a goal.

Fulham:

• Josh King - 8: Scored the equalizer and was a constant threat.
• Timothy Castagne - 7: Contributed significantly in attack and defense.
• Gonzalo Garcia - 6: Capitalized on Sanchez’s error for a goal.

Chelsea's performance illustrated the potential of their new signings while Fulham showed resilience despite the loss. Alonso's era has begun on a high note, promising exciting football ahead.