Xabi Alonso made a winning start to his Chelsea tenure as Cole Palmer starred in an enthralling 3-2 derby win over Fulham.
Palmer scored one and set up another at Craven Cottage, where Joao Pedro put Chelsea ahead after just 31 seconds.
Robert Sanchez’s error gifted Josh King a 23rd-minute equaliser, though Morgan Rogers marked his competitive Chelsea bow with a goal before Palmer made it 3-1.
Gonzalo Garcia dragged Fulham back into it with a goal on his Premier League debut, but Alvaro Arbeloa’s first top-flight game in charge ended in defeat.
How the match unfolded
Alonso did not have long to wait for the first Chelsea goal of his reign. Palmer latched onto a loose ball and threaded it through for Joao Pedro, who made no mistake with a delicate, lofted finish.
Levi Colwill was perhaps fortunate to escape with just a booking after he felled Oscar Bobb to prevent a Fulham break, before King forced Sanchez into action with a rasping drive down the other end.
Yet Sanchez could not stop King’s next effort, as the youngster’s low strike found its way through the Spaniard.
Josh Acheampong made a fantastic block to thwart Garcia, while Joao Pedro was just inches away with a smashed volley.
Chelsea did restore their lead in the 41st minute, though, as Maxence Lacroix brilliantly teed up fellow debutant Rogers, who slammed home from close range.
The Blues’ front three combined to brilliant effect four minutes into the second half. Rogers flicked it on for Joao Pedro, who held play up superbly before calmly laying it off for Palmer to slot between Bernd Leno’s legs.
Yet Fulham pulled one back five minutes later, with Garcia on hand to head in after Sanchez could only parry Timothy Castagne’s shot.
King dragged wide as Fulham upped the pressure, and Sanchez was in no man’s land when Antonee Robinson latched onto a long ball over the top, only to lob wide, and that was the hosts’ clearest chance to equalise again.
Joao Pedro had a strike disallowed for Geovany Quenda drifting offside, but Chelsea saw out the win to give Alonso a perfect start in his first match in charge.
