Fulham 2 Chelsea 3: Cole Palmer back to his best as he, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers win thriller at Craven Cottage

CHELSEA’S front three decided a brilliant game with a performance to send shivers down the spines of their rivals. But Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez had the same effect on his own supporters as another gaffe-filled display helped Fulham play a full part in a classic derby. Cole Palmer was at his brilliant best as Chelsea beat Fulham Credit: Getty Robert Sanchez made two clangers to let Fulham back into the game Credit: AFP There is rarely a dull moment on or off the field at Stamford Bridge. And if this game is anything to go by, Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea are going to be a brilliant watch for neutrals this season – for good reasons and bad. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! In Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and new signing Morgan Rogers, Alonso has potentially the best attacking unit in the Premier League. All three scored, Pedro after 31 seconds to give the new manager a dream start. But Sanchez was at fault for Josh King’s equaliser and for the Gonzalo Garcia goal which made it 3-2 after Rogers and Palmer had found the net either side of half-time. Just like last season under two permanent managers and one interim boss, Chelsea looked incapable of controlling a game. But unlike so many matches in the chaotic 2025-26 campaign, the Blues were able to hold on for victory. Chelsea arrived with bad memories of their last visit to Craven Cottage. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Days after the departure of boss Enzo Maresca in January, the Blues had Marc Cucurella sent off in a 2-1 defeat. As the rain lashed down, the Blues fans aimed X-rated chants at club supremo Behdad Eghbali, who was sitting next to new head coach Liam Rosenior. Those were dark omens for a sunny summer evening. When it emerged Moises Caicedo was out injured, the stage was set for a tough evening. Yet after barely half a minute, Chelsea’s latest new era had the best possible start. Maxence Lacroix’s clearing header reached Palmer, who helped the ball first time on to Pedro. The Brazilian’s brilliant chipped finish over Bernd Leno was that of a man brimming with confidence. The home crowd were understandably dumbstruck, the away fans jubilant. Joao Pedro dinked over Bernd Leno to give Chelsea the perfect start Credit: Reuters He took just 31 seconds to break to No9 curse Credit: Reuters Josh King of Fulham celebrates scoring the opening goal Credit: Shutterstock Editorial He beat Robert Sanchez at the near post Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Yet if they expected their team’s nerves to be settled, they were to be disappointed. The normally reliable Levi Colwill miscontrolled a routine pass, Oscar Bobb nipped in, and the Blues defender was booked for stopping him running clear. Romeo Lavia soon followed Colwill into the book for a hefty foul on Calvin Bassey. Sanchez also gave notice of what was to come. First the Chelsea ‘keeper let a backpass go out for a corner, then he made an unconvincing save from a King shot. Although Palmer, Rogers and Pedro remained menacing and were one good pass away from extending Chelsea’s lead, the arrival of the equaliser was no surprise. Rogers’ failure to go with his runner allowed King to execute a simple one-two with Timothy Castagne. Sanchez’s positioning looked wrong and his limp-wristed attempt to stop the ball beating him at his near post was even worse. Chelsea were rattled. Josh Acheampong, playing instead of the suspended Wesley Fofana, made two crucial challenges to stop the home team going in front. The visitors regained their composure and Pedro volleyed wide from a Palmer cross. Leno saved comfortably from Reece James, then less so from Lavia, before Rogers restored the lead. Palmer found Lacroix with a cute pass and the centre-back dropped his shoulder, beat Jorge Cuenca and pulled the ball back perfectly past Leno into the centre of the area. Rogers redeemed himself for his part in the equaliser by sidefooting home. Palmer upped the ante after the break. After a mesmerising run which deserved a better finish, he made no mistake with his next chance. Morgan Rogers squeezed in to make it 2-1 Credit: AFP He whipped out his ‘cold’ celebration Credit: Getty Palmer finished through Leno’s legs Credit: Getty Gonzalo Garcia pounced to make it 3-2 after Sanchez parried Credit: Reuters Pedro ran from his own half and waited for Palmer to join him. The Chelsea No10, from a narrow angle, fired through Leno’s legs. Moments later it was almost 4-1, but Antonee Robinson stopped Rogers capitalising on Jorrel Hato’s surging run and cross. Instead it was soon 2-3. Colwill misjudged a cross and Sanchez could only parry Castagne’s shot straight on to the head of Garcia, who did not know much about his debut goal but cared even less. Every drama needs a villain. Enter Enzo Fernandez. He and fellow Argentinian Valentin Barco had been roundly booed earlier in the evening, but Fernandez’s introduction in place of Lavia with 25 minutes to go took the abuse to new X-rated levels. Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso were both taking charge of their first Prem matches Credit: Getty Levi Colwill got away with a push on King when already booked Credit: Sky Sports Tempers threatened to boil over in the West London derby Credit: AFP Enzo Fernandez was booed by the home fans but cheered by those in the away end Credit: Getty But some away fans sang their player’s name, despite knowing he would love to be at Manchester City before the end of the window. After a lull, Fulham went again, with King dragging a shot wide of Sanchez’s right-hand post. Bassey was booked for diving in the penalty area, then Robinson raced clear of James, only to send his shot over Sanchez but wide. The Chelsea ‘keeper kept out an effort by substitute Ryan Sessegnon and Pedro had a late effort ruled out for offside. But the Blues are up and running, and it promises to be a fun ride. Comment now