Cole Palmer Shines in Chelsea's 3-2 Victory Over Fulham

Cole Palmer lit up the first night of the Xabi Alonso era, dragging Chelsea to a wild 3-2 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage and reminding the Premier League exactly who he is.

This was chaos with a scoreboard. Defending optional, tempo relentless, quality high. And at the heart of it, a No 10 who finally looked free again.

Palmer back in command

Palmer walked into pre-season with a clean bill of health and a summer off after missing England’s World Cup campaign. He walked out of Craven Cottage like the leader of Alonso’s project.

One goal. One assist. Constant menace.

Asked on Sky Sports how ready he felt for the new season, his answer was as sharp as his football: “Did you not watch the game?” On this evidence, he didn’t need to say anything at all.

He needed just 31 seconds to make his point. Maxence Lacroix rose in his own half, his header slicing straight through Fulham’s midfield. Palmer pounced, slid a perfectly weighted pass into Joao Pedro, and Chelsea were in front before the home crowd had settled.

From that moment, the front three of Palmer, Joao Pedro and debutant Morgan Rogers played like they owned the pitch. Movement, angles, combinations. Fulham never got close to the rhythm.

Fulham punch back, Sanchez wobbles

For all Chelsea’s attacking fluency, this was never comfortable. Not with Robert Sanchez in this mood.

The goalkeeper, already under scrutiny as Chelsea’s No 1, dragged Fulham back into a contest they looked in danger of losing inside half an hour.

Midway through the first half, Josh King picked up the ball and let fly from the edge of the box. It was powerful, but straight enough. Sanchez let it sneak in at his near post. 1-1, and Craven Cottage roared with disbelief as much as delight.

Alonso refused to hang his keeper out to dry on Sky Sports afterwards. “It’s not about talking about individuals,” he said. “For sure, the first goal we can do better than that. But it’s a process. It’s day one. And normally it’s easier to learn with three points.” The words were calm. The performance between the posts was anything but.

Rogers arrives, Chelsea cut loose

Just when Fulham thought they had a foothold, Chelsea ripped it away again.

Four minutes before the break, Lacroix struck once more. This time not with a header from deep, but a driven cross from the right. Rogers, timing his run perfectly at the back post, arrived unmarked and side-footed home on debut. A record signing with a simple finish, but the movement of a player who already understands his role.

Chelsea went in at half-time 2-1 up and came out like they wanted to end it.

Five minutes into the second period, Fulham’s defensive line imploded. Calvin Bassey stepped up when he didn’t need to, lost the duel with Rogers, and suddenly Chelsea were in again. Rogers’ flick released Joao Pedro, who squared unselfishly for Palmer. One touch, then a ruthless finish. 3-1, and the away end bouncing.

For a few minutes, it felt like Fulham might fold. Alonso’s front three were running riot, pulling white shirts all over the pitch.

Then Sanchez intervened again.

Arbeloa’s Fulham show their teeth

This was Alvaro Arbeloa’s first Premier League game in charge, and if nothing else, he has made one thing clear: Fulham will not sit back for anyone.

They played on the front foot, pressed high, and kept coming even after being cut open three times. The intent was obvious. So were the flaws.

Just five minutes after Palmer’s goal, Fulham were gifted a lifeline. Timothy Castagne drove in a shot that should have been routine. Sanchez spilled it straight into the path of Goncalo Garcia, another debutant, who reacted quickest to slam in from close range. 3-2, and Chelsea’s dominance was suddenly fragile.

Arbeloa liked what he saw, even in defeat. “It’s a new project. Time is something we coaches don’t have,” he told Sky Sports. “But if we continue to play in that way, we’re going to win a lot of games. This is the way I want to play. And we’re going to play this way no matter who is in front of us.”

His side created enough to justify that optimism. They attacked with numbers, moved the ball quickly and never looked beaten.

They also left the back door wide open. All three Chelsea goals came from Fulham being sliced apart too easily, positionally and mentally.

That balance will define Arbeloa’s season.

Boos, chances and a late scare

The noise inside Craven Cottage wasn’t just about the football.

When Enzo Fernandez came on for Romeo Lavia on 65 minutes, he was met with heavy jeers from the home support, a hangover from his antics for Argentina against England at the World Cup. Every touch drew a reaction. Every duel felt personal.

On the pitch, the game stayed stretched. Fulham kept pushing. Chelsea kept threatening on the break but couldn’t land the knockout blow.

Then came the moment that almost undid them.

With 12 minutes left, Sanchez charged out and found himself stranded. The ball broke to Antonee Robinson with the goal gaping and the goalkeeper nowhere. Robinson tried to lift it over the retreating defenders, but his chip skewed horribly wide. Hands on heads in the Hammersmith End. A huge chance gone.

Palmer’s night ended with a jolt of concern. After signalling to the bench and pulling up mid-dribble, he was replaced by Estevao on 82 minutes. Chelsea will hope it’s precaution rather than problem; Alonso’s entire attacking blueprint leans heavily on his No 10.

Fulham kept swinging until the final whistle, but Chelsea held on. No late twist, no third Sanchez error, no rescue act for the hosts.

In the end, the difference was brutal quality in the final third. Palmer orchestrated, Joao Pedro and Rogers finished, and Alonso walked away with three points and a first glimpse of what his Chelsea might become.

If this is day one, what does it look like when they really click?