Xabi Alonso’s first Premier League match in charge of Chelsea produced an encouraging attacking display, but the 3-2 victory over Fulham also exposed a problem that could become increasingly difficult to ignore.
Chelsea’s new-look forward line combined effectively at Craven Cottage, with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro all finding the net.
The trio provided the creativity, movement and finishing that Alonso will want to build his team around this season.
Yet while Chelsea looked dangerous going forward, uncertainty at the other end of the pitch remained impossible to overlook.
Joao Pedro Sets the Tone After Just 31 Seconds
Chelsea could hardly have asked for a quicker start.
Joao Pedro opened the scoring after only 31 seconds, collecting a pass from Palmer before lifting his finish over Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
It was Chelsea’s fastest Premier League goal since October 2016.
Fulham responded through Josh King, but Chelsea regained the lead before half-time when Rogers marked his competitive debut for the club by finishing from close range.
Palmer then restored Chelsea’s two-goal advantage after the break, although Fulham’s late response ensured Alonso had to endure a nervous finish.
Palmer Looks Like His Old Self Again
For all the attacking quality Chelsea displayed, Palmer was arguably the standout performer.
The England international has endured a difficult period since an injury-disrupted spell interrupted the extraordinary impact he made after joining Chelsea.
His latest performance, however, suggested that the 24-year-old may finally be approaching his best again.
Palmer created Joao Pedro’s opening goal and later added one of his own, while repeatedly causing problems with his movement, passing and ability to beat defenders.
He also worked hard without the ball, adding another dimension to a performance that reminded observers why he became one of the Premier League’s most influential attacking players.
Palmer said he had used the summer to rest and recharge and returned to the new season feeling hungry.
His performance suggested that hunger is already translating onto the pitch.
Rogers Makes an Instant Impression
Rogers also made an immediate statement following his club-record £117 million transfer from Aston Villa.
The England international was reunited with Palmer, whom he considers his closest friend in football, and the pair looked particularly comfortable operating alongside Joao Pedro.
Rogers became the first Chelsea player to score on his Premier League debut since Christopher Nkunku in 2023.
He also created five chances in his first league appearance, the first Chelsea player to achieve that since records began in the 2003-04 season.
His physical presence and attacking intelligence added another layer to Chelsea’s forward play, despite his shortened pre-season following England’s run to third place at the World Cup.
Alonso Wants His Front Three to Lead the Team
Alonso was clearly pleased with what he saw from his attacking players.
The Chelsea manager said the quality of the trio becomes particularly dangerous when they receive the ball in good positions, allowing them to combine their individual talent and create opportunities.
He also stressed that the three forwards must help set the standard for the rest of the squad.
That approach could become central to Alonso’s Chelsea project, particularly if Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro continue developing their understanding.
Joao Pedro’s own form is another reason for optimism. He scored eight times in seven pre-season matches and has now carried that momentum into the Premier League campaign.
Chelsea’s Biggest Problem Was Behind Them
For all the excitement surrounding the attack, Chelsea’s defensive performance told a very different story.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was at fault for both Fulham goals, creating fresh questions about whether he can be trusted as Alonso’s first-choice goalkeeper.
King’s equaliser came from a relatively routine low shot that went through Sanchez, while Fulham’s second goal followed another uncertain moment from the Chelsea goalkeeper.
Timothy Castagne’s shot was parried into a dangerous area, allowing Gonzalo Garcia to head Fulham back into the contest.
Sanchez made other saves during the match, but his mistakes overshadowed much of that work.
The Statistics Make Sanchez’s First Error Worse
The nature of Fulham’s first goal makes Sanchez’s mistake particularly difficult to defend.
King’s effort had an expected goals on target value of only 0.05, making it the lowest-rated shot to result in a goal during the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
In practical terms, it was a chance a goalkeeper of Sanchez’s level would normally be expected to stop.
The goalkeeper also nearly created further problems later in the match after failing to clear the ball before it went out for a corner and looking uncertain when attempting to deal with a long pass.
Carragher and Neville Raise Serious Concerns
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was particularly blunt in his assessment of Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation.
He praised Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro as being among the best attacking combinations in the Premier League but questioned whether Chelsea could realistically challenge for the title with Sanchez in goal.
Gary Neville also warned that an unreliable goalkeeper could undermine the progress being made elsewhere in the squad.
Neville argued that goalkeeper is one of football’s most scrutinised positions and said repeated mistakes could become a major problem for a team with ambitions of competing at the highest level.
Alonso Refuses to Single Out His Goalkeeper
Alonso did not publicly place the blame on Sanchez.
Instead, the Spaniard emphasised collective responsibility and said Chelsea must learn from their mistakes as part of what he described as an ongoing process.
He stressed that improvement was required throughout the team, from the forwards and midfielders to the defence and goalkeepers.
That response protects Sanchez publicly, but it does not eliminate the questions surrounding his position.
Chelsea still have time to act before the transfer window closes, meaning the club’s hierarchy may now have to decide whether their squad requires another established goalkeeper.
Mike Penders Provides Another Option
Sanchez is not Chelsea’s only goalkeeping option.
Mike Penders, 21, is waiting for his first appearance after returning from a successful loan spell at Strasbourg.
However, with Chelsea expected to compete across multiple fronts, relying on an inexperienced alternative would represent a significant decision if Sanchez’s form continues to deteriorate.
The remaining transfer window therefore gives Chelsea an opportunity to strengthen, should Alonso and the club’s recruitment team conclude that the position is not secure enough.
What’s Next for Alonso and Chelsea?
The victory at Fulham gives Alonso an ideal attacking foundation to build upon.
Palmer appears refreshed, Rogers has immediately demonstrated why Chelsea paid a record fee for him, and Joao Pedro has continued his excellent scoring form.
But the same match also highlighted the importance of finding stability at the opposite end of the pitch.
If Chelsea can combine their attacking firepower with greater defensive reliability and dependable goalkeeping, Alonso’s first season could develop into something far more ambitious.
If Sanchez continues making costly errors, however, the issue could quickly become the defining weakness of an otherwise exciting new Chelsea side.
Summary
Chelsea began the Alonso era with a 3-2 Premier League win at Fulham, powered by goals from Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer.
The new attacking trio provided plenty of reasons for optimism, with Palmer in particular delivering a performance reminiscent of his best form.
But goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s mistakes allowed Fulham to score twice and raised questions over whether Chelsea have adequately addressed the position.
With the transfer window still open, Chelsea now face a potentially important decision: trust Sanchez to improve or enter the market for another goalkeeper before the weaknesses exposed at Fulham become a recurring problem.
