Chelsea Beat Fulham 3-2 in Premier League Opener

Chelsea began their 2026-27 Premier League campaign with a 3-2 victory over Fulham in a thrilling West London derby at Craven Cottage on Monday, August 24, 2026. The match, which served as the opening fixture for both clubs under new management, saw former Real Madrid teammates Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa face off as opposing managers for the first time in the English top flight.

The Blues made an immediate impact, with Joao Pedro scoring after just 31 seconds to give Chelsea an early lead. The goal set the tone for a fast-paced and competitive encounter. Fulham responded with resilience, and Josh King equalized for the home side with a well-taken goal before halftime. However, Chelsea regained the advantage through Morgan Rogers, a £117 million summer signing from Aston Villa, who scored on his debut to make it 2-1 before the break.

Chelsea extended their lead in the second half through Cole Palmer, who delivered a standout performance. Fulham fought back, with Gonzalo Garcia, another new signing from Real Madrid, heading in to reduce the deficit to 3-2. Despite late pressure from the home side, including a strong effort from King, Chelsea held on for the win.