Cole Palmer shines and gives Xabi Alonso a dream start at Chelsea

Xabi Alonso made a winning start to life in the Premier League as a manager. His Chelsea beat Fulham 3-2 away from home. Cole Palmer was the standout performer, making his mark with a goal and an assist.

Chelsea, with Jorrel Hato introduced in the second half, flew out of the blocks. João Pedro had the ball in the net after just 31 seconds. Palmer slipped a neat through ball into his path and the Brazilian striker went one-on-one with the goalkeeper before delicately lifting the ball into the net: 0-1.

Alonso's side, notably fierce in the tackle, pushed for a second but conceded an equaliser midway through the first half. Joshua King beat the error-prone Robert Sanchez at his near post.

João Pedro, Reece James and Roméo Lavia kept the chances coming for the Blues, but they did not restore their lead until five minutes before half-time.

Palmer was at the heart of it again: he sent Maxence Lacroix to the byline, after which the ball was pulled back for Morgan Rogers. The debutant did not hesitate and hammered home from close range: 1-2.

Then Palmer capped his excellent display with a goal of his own after the break. João Pedro played in the playmaker, who calmly slotted the ball through goalkeeper Bernd Leno's legs. Chelsea did not get to enjoy their comfortable lead for long, though, because the alert Gonzalo García quickly headed in the 2-3.

That set up a tense finish, with Fulham pushing for an equaliser. Álvaro Arbeloa's side fought for every ball, but in the end they could not force a point. João Pedro even thought he had his second goal, but it was ruled out.