Fulham vs Chelsea - Premier League LIVE: Xabi Alonso kicks off Blues reign with west London derby

All calm at the CottageWow, just pure bliss.I'm telling you, there are not many prettier stadiums than Craven Cottage. Right on the river, with the old school feel alongside the brand spanking new renovations, it's gorgeous.It's rather peaceful right now as the fans are yet to descend on the stands, and I love it when it's like this.Soon it will be full to the brim, though, and the atmosphere will be popping off.From friends to foesSeeing as we are on the topic of Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa starting their next career step, I think it's worth looking back at their history, no?These are not just two Spanish managers who know of each other, no, these are good friends and ex-team-mates.Both played at Liverpool together under Rafa Benitez, and then at Real Madrid a few years later. Oh yeah, and don't forget they played together at international level for Spain, too.These two now-coaches played on the same pitch as team-mates over 250 times together. That's a lot.And what is even more intriguing is that they were both sacked by Real Madrid last season. Alonso went first after that cursed short spell, before Arbeloa replaced him, coming up from the youth setup, and then was given the chop as well.And now the young managers have become intertwined again at the start of their careers on the touchline in the Premier League.What a story, eh?Arbeloa: 'I know how important that game is'Alvaro Arbeloa, Fulham boss, speaking ahead of the game:Football is about what you're going to do to achieve things. The players have a very good attitude. We need to improve for sure - there are many new things, so we need time. We have a difficult month ahead of us, but this month will not define us. We analysed Chelsea the way we do every team. I know well because I watched so many of his games of his teams, but we know it won't be easy. They're a very strong squad with top players. They have made good signings. We have to be ready.A few days ago but we didn't talk about football because our families are coming over to London. We are very good friends. On Monday night we will be down on the touchline, so close, and we will do everything for our club. For 90 minutes we will give everything for our clubs. For 90 minutes we are not friends. We both want to win that game.I know how important that game is for our supporters. It's also very important for everyone at the club and for us, for the players, for me. It's the first game of the season, the first game at Craven Cottage. So we are ready, we are excited and of course we can't wait for the game. It will be so important if we win against Chelsea. The only thing I can think about is our performance, to be ready to play. We are working very, very hard.Into the unknownThere is a weird feeling around Fulham heading into the season.They've lost Marco Silva, some of their best players in Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez, and have taken a huge gamble in bringing in Alvaro Arbeloa and some Real Madrid youngsters with him.It's what you would call a rebuild. It either had the potential to go Pete Tong and Fulham end up in a relegation scrap. Or it could go beautifully and the Cottagers leap to another level, pushing for Europe.Genuinely, it feels like it will be either of those things, and no in between.Arebloa is clearly a talented coach; he didn't make it to the touchline at the Bernabeu last season for nothing. However, he is young and this is his first proper permanent head coach role in senior football.Yes, he was Xabi Alonso's replacement briefly at Real Madrid, but look how that went. Everybody knew that was just a stopgap.But hey, we can't judge too soon. They haven't kicked a ball under him in the Premier League yet and you never know, he may be the second coming of Pep Guardiola.Or he could be the next Pepe Mel (if you know, you know).Alonso: 'It's a process'Xabi Alonso, Chelsea manager, speaking ahead of the game:The hunger to have success, the ambition to do well, to create good energy and spirit within the team, that's the first goal, because that helps you be more competitive and win games.We are going to be improving game by game. I am sure that the team that starts the Premier League and the one that's in November and December will be better because it's a process; everything takes time. But we feel that we have a good start and that's so important.On facing friend Alvaro Arbeloa:Of course you can have a relationship, but once you're on the pitch, no friends, no past.Blues new dawn How many is that now?Honestly, Chelsea have a new era every six months these days. Most have been like building a red brick house without cement, and have fallen apart the moment a simple storm hits.But this time, it feels different. Xabi Alonso has brought his cement mixer and built this house properly during the summer. His transfer moves have been solid and considered, and there is genuine optimism at Stamford Bridge.Obviously, in this era of Chelsea you genuinley never know what could happen, but with a man like Alonso at the wheel they have a very good chance of going far this season.Many think they may be Arsenal's closest challengers, and I agree.Forget that short spell at Real Madrid (which wasn't even that bad), Alonso is a very talented coach. You don't go invincible in the Bundesliga with a club that isn't Bayern Munich and are a one-season wonder. That was a ludicrous achievement.The Spaniard has changed the strategy at the Bridge, bringing in experienced players rather than toddlers. That has brought calm to what was a whirling storm last season.Now it's time to get a first taste as to what Alonso's Chelsea will be like in the Premier League.I can't wait.What's happened so far?Now, If I had all day I would genuinely love to take you through everything that's happened this weekend. It's been class.But personally I reckon you'd get a bit bored with a 500-word blog post doing that, wouldn't you? That's what articles are for.Instead, let's just comb through the results as a list. There are plenty of ones we didn't see coming, that's for sure.Here are the Premier League results from the weekend:FRIDAY Arsenal 3-0 CoventrySATURDAYHull City 2-0 Manchester UnitedEverton 2-0 Crystal PalaceIpswich 2-1 SunderlandNottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds Brentford 3-0 TottenhamSUNDAYBrighton 4-0 Aston VillaManchester City 2-1 BournemouthNewcastle 2-2 LiverpoolClash at the CottageLast but not least.It has been a box office first weekend of Premier League football. We've had shocks, red cards, penalty drama, and even stoppage-time winners and equalisers. The 2026-27 opening weekend announced its arrival, and well, it's not done yet.We finish at Craven Cottage as a new dawn at Chelsea begins away at their local rivals Fulham. A battle of the former team-mates on the River Thames.Plenty have put their money on the Blues challenging for the title and the Cottagers getting embroiled in the relegation battle. On paper, Chelsea already have the three points in the bag.But as this weekend has already shown us, that is not how football works. This league will be as unpredictable as ever this season, and anything could happen tonight.So, without further ado, let's get down to business.