Chelsea made a winning start to the Xabi Alonso era as Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer all scored in a nervy 3-2 derby defeat of Fulham. The Blues were twice pegged back by goals from Josh King and debutant Gonzalo Garcia, but held on to take three points from their first Premier League outing of the campaign.
It was a hugely positive first step into the Premier League for Xabi Alonso, whose side were impressive if imperfect. He will be thrilled to have Palmer back on the scoresheet, while a variety of other positive debuts from the likes of Rogers and Maxence Lacroix will also aid his mood. The fact Robert Sanchez was at fault for both Fulham goals, though, will give some cause for a sleepless night.
Even Alvaro Arbeloa cannot be too disappointed with his side’s performance. Cesar Palacios and Gonzalo Garcia’s signings were both questioned this summer, but they impressed on debut alongside the imperious King. Catch up with the action as it happened with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith at Craven Cottage.
Fulham vs Chelsea latest news
- GOAL! Garcia on target for Fulham
- GOAL! Palmer opens account for new season
FULL-TIME: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:54 , Arthur Ferridge
That does it! It is a winning start for Xabi Alonso.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:53 , Arthur Ferridge
90+4mins: Neto dances into the box and shoots into the side netting from a tight angle.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:50 , Arthur Ferridge
There will be four minutes of stoppage time.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:50 , Arthur Ferridge
90mins: Joao Pedro has it in the back of the net after Quenda’s shot is parried into his path, but the offside flag is up.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:49 , Arthur Ferridge
90mins: Chelsea win a corner, which Joao Pedro opts to just hold in the corner. He doesn’t last long before Fulham reclaim possession.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:48 , Arthur Ferridge
89mins: Castagne goes into the book for a cynical foul on the counterattacking Colwill.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:47 , Arthur Ferridge
88mins: It is getting scrappy in the closing stages here, with Kevin and Estevao going blow-for-blow. Alonso and Arbeloa will be tearing their hair out...
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:46 , Arthur Ferridge
87mins: We are heading into the final stages now, not long left for either side to hold on.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:44 , Arthur Ferridge
84mins: Sanchez saves well from Sessegnon’s close-range volley. Corner for Fulham.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:42 , Arthur Ferridge
82mins: And here come those changes, at long last.
Muniz replaces Robinson for Fulham.
And for Chelsea, Quenda and Estevao fill the places of Rogers and Palmer.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:41 , Arthur Ferridge
81mins: Chelsea have substitutes ready, but they can’t get the ball out of play. Fulham looking to spoil their plans...
Dom Smith reports from Craven Cottage
21:39 , Arthur Ferridge
Cole Palmer has asked to be taken off in two minutes.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:39 , Arthur Ferridge
80mins: Bad news, Chelsea fans. Cole Palmer has just pulled up and immediately asked to come off.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:37 , Arthur Ferridge
78mins: Another great chance at an equaliser! A wonderful ball over the top unpicks the Chelsea defence and Robinson is through one-on-one, with Sanchez caught in two minds and ultimately caught in no man’s land. Robinson lobs him, but misses the mark.
Dom Smith reports from Craven Cottage
21:36 , Arthur Ferridge
Superb dive from Bassey. Great call from referee John Brooks.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:36 , Arthur Ferridge
76mins: Bassey goes to ground in the box and wants a spot-kick, but gets himself booked for simulation. Replays show there was no contact whatsoever.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:35 , Arthur Ferridge
76mins: Pedro Neto replaces Malo Gusto to take up his new right wing-back role.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:35 , Arthur Ferridge
75mins: Reece James goes into the book after coming together with King, who was looking to break. James wags a finger at the youngster as they reset.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:32 , Arthur Ferridge
72mins: That’s a great chance at an equaliser! King cuts inside and beats Lacroix with ease before shooting just wide.
And here come the Fulham changes. Palacios, who has had a debut to be proud of, and Berge are replaced by Sessegnon and Kevin.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:30 , Arthur Ferridge
71mins: Kevin and Robinson are being readied to come on for Fulham.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:27 , Arthur Ferridge
68mins: These are really full-throated boos for Fernandez. You can probably hear them at Stamford Bridge!
Dom Smith reports from Craven Cottage
21:26 , Arthur Ferridge
Reece James has gone straight over to Enzo Fernandez as soon as he's on the pitch and punched his own hand a few times, as if to tell him to use the booing right around the stadium as motivation. James wants Fernandez locked in here.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:26 , Arthur Ferridge
67mins: And here comes Shea Charles for Fulham, replacing Oscar Bobb.
Dom Smith reports from Craven Cottage
21:25 , Arthur Ferridge
Boos all the way round the stadium for Enzo Fernandez as he takes his first touches on the ball.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:25 , Arthur Ferridge
65mins: Changes on the way! Fernandez and Chavarria are on for Chelsea, replacing Lavia and Hato.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:22 , Arthur Ferridge
63mins: Joao Pedro shoots into Row Z from the edge of the Fulham box.
Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez is going through what appears to be a fairly rigorous warm-up.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:21 , Arthur Ferridge
61mins: Bobb races goalwards after Rogers loses possession, but he runs out of road and loses touch.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:19 , Arthur Ferridge
59mins: Jorrel Hato has just been caught out by the referee for taking too long over a throw in, and the ball is handed back to Fulham.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
21:16 , Arthur Ferridge
56mins: The momentum was swinging wildly in the first half, and so it has again here. Chelsea looked to be riding off into the sunset after that Palmer goal, but Garcia’s strike means their work is far from over tonight.
GOAL! Fulham 2-3 Chelsea | Garcia '54
21:14 , Arthur Ferridge
Another debut goal! Garcia heads home after Sanchez’s save falls into the path of Garcia, and he makes no mistake nodding home from close range.
Dom Smith reports from Craven Cottage
21:12 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea have put huge faith in a front three of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers this season. All three of them off the mark for the season after 49 minutes of the opening game. It's not half bad, that, is it.
Fulham 1-3 Chelsea
21:12 , Arthur Ferridge
52mins: Castagne is penalised for a late tackle on Hato, who appears unscathed.
Fulham 1-3 Chelsea
21:11 , Arthur Ferridge
51mins: Robinson tracks back apace to deny Rogers his second goal of the day.
Dom Smith reports from Craven Cottage
21:10 , Arthur Ferridge
That's a scintillating third goal from a Chelsea team fully in the groove in the final third. Palmer off the mark for the season.
Fulham 1-3 Chelsea
21:09 , Arthur Ferridge
Scratch that - Palmer has nutmegged Leno.
GOAL! Fulham 1-3 Chelsea | Palmer '49
21:09 , Arthur Ferridge
And Palmer gets his goal! He combines nicely with Joao Pedro and takes an audacious shot from a very tight angle, which slips beyond Leno at his near post.
Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
21:08 , Arthur Ferridge
48mins: A dancing, jinking run from Palmer has Palacios, Robinson and others on strings. He finds his way into the box, but his shot curls wide.
Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
21:06 , Arthur Ferridge
47mins: Lavia plays Joao Pedro into the penalty area, but he cannot have the same immediate impact in the second half as in the first. Cuenca makes the block.
2ND HALF: Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
21:05 , Arthur Ferridge
We are back underway!
21:04 , Arthur Ferridge
Anyway, time for the second half!
Delap in talks over Chelsea exit
21:04 , Arthur Ferridge
During half-time, Dom Smith has produced some transfer news!
Liam Delap is in talks over a potential move from Chelsea to Nottingham Forest.
Standard Sport understands the player’s representatives are in talks with Forest over the possible terms of a deal.
It is currently unclear what form any deal might take, but Chelsea are known to be willing to sell the striker this summer and value him at £50million.
HALF-TIME: Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
20:49 , Arthur Ferridge
The curtain falls on what has been a scintillating half of football. Chelsea one clear after goals from Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers, either side of another from Josh King.
Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
20:48 , Arthur Ferridge
45+1mins: The away end is singing a Morgan Rogers-themed song to the tune of ‘I Just Can’t Get Enough’. You can fill in the blanks yourself.
Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
20:46 , Arthur Ferridge
There will be two minutes of added time.
Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
20:45 , Arthur Ferridge
44mins: Palmer wants to get his own name on the scoresheet after teeing up Chelsea’s two openers. He cuts inside and curls one to the far post... which flashes just wide.
Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
20:44 , Arthur Ferridge
43mins: I must say, this match has been absolutely gripping.
Dom Smith reports from Craven Cottage
20:43 , Arthur Ferridge
What an assist from Lacroix. Finished by Rogers. Two new signings making their mark on debut for Chelsea. That will have Alonso delighted, no end.
GOAL! Fulham 1-2 Chelsea | Rogers '41
20:42 , Arthur Ferridge
Rogers restores Chelsea’s lead! It is fantastic work from Palmer to start the attack. He plays an out-of-position Lacroix into the box, and the Frenchman does well to square for Rogers to finish into an empty net.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:41 , Arthur Ferridge
39mins: Fulham lay siege to the Chelsea box and look to be playing with intent, but don’t manage to get a shot away and Sanchez claims a cross to call off the offensive.
Dom Smith reports from Stamford Bridge
20:37 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea appear to have stemmed the tide and grown in recent minutes. Now it is about reestablishing their lead.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:37 , Arthur Ferridge
36mins: Another important contribution from Leno, who punches this corner clear.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:37 , Arthur Ferridge
35mins: A training-ground corner routine gives James a crossing chance. Some six-yard box pinball allows Lavia to shoot, but a strong right hand from Leno sends the Blues back to the corner.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:35 , Arthur Ferridge
33mins: A blocked Rogers shot falls nicely for James and he strikes it well first time, but Leno makes a routine stop.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:34 , Arthur Ferridge
33mins: Fulham’s press is causing problems for Chelsea. Gusto and Acheampong are the latest to be caught out as they find themselves trapped in the corner under pressure from Robinson and Iwobi.
Dom Smith reports from Craven Cottage
20:32 , Arthur Ferridge
That was mightily close from Joao Pedro after fine work by Palmer. Chelsea still in a tough spot at the minute, though.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:32 , Arthur Ferridge
30mins: CLOSE! Joao Pedro volleys narrowly wide from Palmer’s cross. It’s Chelsea’s first meaningful attacking move for a good ten minutes or so.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:30 , Arthur Ferridge
28mins: Bassey plays a perfect long-ball to meet the run of King, who wins another corner for Fulham.
It is taken short and worked back to King, who is all over the place of late. He fouls Palmer to cut this attack short.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:28 , Arthur Ferridge
27mins: Suddenly it is Fulham in the ascendancy! Garcia can’t quite connect with Castagne’s cross, before Acheampong makes a wonderful tackle to block his next effort.
Dom Smith reports from Craven Cottage
20:25 , Arthur Ferridge
It's an example of horrendous goalkeeping from a player Chelsea have been insistent they feel no urgency to upgrade. King beats Sanchez not even at his near post but down the middle. Really poor from Chelsea.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
20:25 , Arthur Ferridge
It is really poor from Sanchez, who sees the shot all the way and lets it beat him at his near post.
All square at the Cottage.
GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Chelsea | King '23
20:24 , Arthur Ferridge
King equalises for Chelsea! He finally gets his goal against the Blues!
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:23 , Arthur Ferridge
22mins: King makes a superb run down the right flank and gets a cross away, but there is no white shirt in the box to collect it.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:22 , Arthur Ferridge
21mins: Palacios receives the ball at the edge of the box and looks to bend one into the top corner, but he overcooks his strike.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:22 , Arthur Ferridge
20mins: King has a crack from the edge of the area, forcing Sanchez into a save. It moves a bit in the air, so the best he can do is parry it. You could argue he should be catching that kind of shot.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:21 , Arthur Ferridge
19mins: Rogers finds Palmer in acres of space in the box, but he just can’t quite sort his feet out and the space quickly disappears before he can shoot.
Dom Smith reports from Craven Cottage
20:20 , Arthur Ferridge
Quite a frantic match this, with Fulham really hanging on the moment. The pace is very difficult to keep up with!
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:19 , Arthur Ferridge
18mins: Hato goes on a marauding run through the middle of the park, but can’t pick his pass when he reaches the box. Palmer then latches onto the ball, but Iwobi is there to nick it off his toes.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:19 , Arthur Ferridge
17mins: Another look at that, ahem, full-blooded tackle from Lavia on Bassey.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:18 , Arthur Ferridge
16mins: King races forwards with the ball at his feet and looks to slip Gonzalo Garcia in behind, but Colwill gets in the way of his pass.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:16 , Arthur Ferridge
14mins: Sanchez has had his moment. He lets a backpass run and run and run as he shapes up a pass, and eventually he just lets it out for a corner. So poor from the Spaniard.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:13 , Arthur Ferridge
12mins: Oh, that is a dreadful challenge from Lavia. He flies in on Bassey in reckless fashion, and on first viewing you’d say he is a little lucky to get away with a yellow card.
Dom Smith reports from Craven Cottage
20:13 , Arthur Ferridge
For the purposes of the tape, I would like on record that it remains ridiculous that Joao Pedro was overlooked by Brazil for the World Cup.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:12 , Arthur Ferridge
11mins: Sanchez claims the cross from Bobb. He’s one of several Chelsea players who come into this season with a point to prove.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:12 , Arthur Ferridge
10mins: A nervous moment for Chelsea as Hato’s attempt to deny Fulham a corner sees the Dutchman play a cross into his own box. He manages to recover, just about, but Fulham do ultimately end up with a set piece.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:10 , Arthur Ferridge
8mins: Some incisive forward play from Chelsea ends as Palmer shoots from a tight angle, forcing Leno into a routine parry.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:09 , Arthur Ferridge
7mins: It has been all Chelsea so far, they’re knocking the ball around really nicely and Fulham just cannot get close. Their fans are in full voice.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:07 , Arthur Ferridge
5mins: A loose touch from Colwill lets Bobb in behind, but he is hacked down in rather cynical fashion before he can get near Sanchez’s goal. Colwill is booked, and Iwobi sizes up a deep free-kick, which comes to nought.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:05 , Arthur Ferridge
4mins: Rogers looks to double Chelsea’s lead early on, but his effort is blocked.
They have a corner - their first of the season - and it is taken short before a cross to James results in another blocked shot.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:05 , Arthur Ferridge
3mins: That goal has killed the derby atmosphere inside Craven Cottage, in emphatic fashion.
“Super Chelsea FC” comes the cry from the away end.
Dom Smith reports from Craven Cottage
20:04 , Arthur Ferridge
Well that's some start from Chelsea under Alonso. What a swift attack it was, and Joao Pedro already has his first goal of the season. Lacroix and Palmer were sharp. Joao Pedro did the rest, with aplomb. A nightmare start for Fulham.
Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
20:03 , Arthur Ferridge
What a start from Chelsea! One long ball is cut out and headed to Palmer, who plays Joao Pedro in behind to dink Leno and open the scoring in seconds.
Your move, Alvaro.
GOAL! Fulham 0-1 Chelsea | Joao Pedro '1
20:02 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea make a dream start to their campaign! Joao Pedro gives them the lead inside 30 seconds!
KICK-OFF! Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
20:01 , Arthur Ferridge
For the Cottagers and the Blues, the 2026/27 campaign is UNDERWAY!
Remembering Kevin Keegan
20:00 , Arthur Ferridge
Before kick-off, we will have a period of applause in memory of Kevin Keegan.
Here we go...
19:55 , Arthur Ferridge
The players are making their way out onto the pitch at Craven Cottage! Kick-off is imminent.
Team news reminder
19:50 , Arthur Ferridge
Just ten minutes till this derby gets underway. Here’s a reminder of the starting lineups.
Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Cuenca, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi, King; Bobb, Gonzalo, Palacios
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Gusto, James, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro
Blast from the (not too distant) past...
19:43 , Arthur Ferridge
Wasn't even that long ago. Look at the players. Football is a fast-moving world #FFC #CFC #FULCHE pic.twitter.com/a8AQMen29L
— Dom Smith (@MrDomSmith) August 24, 2026
Chelsea's record at Craven Cottage
19:43 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea have only won two of their last four trips to Craven Cottage.
The first of those two defeats came in 2023, and brought to an end a 17-year unbeaten run at their west London neighbours.
Dom Smith reports from Craven Cottage
19:39 , Arthur Ferridge
This is a big occasion for Chelsea. Not because it's a west London derby. Largely because it's Xabi Alonso's first competitive match as Chelsea manager and the start of a season that promises plenty for Chelsea, judging by their summer business. They need to get it right.
Arbeloa: My Fulham will be brave and aggressive
19:38 , Arthur Ferridge
"I have a clear idea of what I want from my team. I tried to do my best at Real Madrid obviously with a different team and different players and everything different, but here I have more time to get my team to play how I want them to play.
"I want an aggressive team, really brave with the ball and I think we need to solve from the first day our mentality and our character. The football will come in time but we need to solve that mentality from day one."
The teams arrive in SW6
19:34 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea send clear transfer hint with squad decision against Fulham
19:32 , Arthur Ferridge
Xabi Alonso’s first official starting lineup as Chelsea manager has provided a hint at the club’s remaining transfer business.
Alonso has named Romeo Lavia and Josh Acheampong among his starters in a 3-4-2-1 formation for the Blues’ opening game of the Premier League season against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
But it was some of the players not named in the team nor on the bench that gave some hints as to what the final week of Chelsea’s transfer window could look like.
Mykhailo Mudryk, Nicolas Jackson, Dario Essugo, Marc Guiu, and Tosin Adarabioyo are among the players left out entirely by Xabi Alonso.
Khan lauds Arbeloa
19:24 , Arthur Ferridge
Writing in his programme notes ahead of tonight’s match, Fulham owner Shahid Khan said: “Álvaro has impressed us in every respect – his football philosophy, his passion for development, his willingness to trust youth, and his clear vision for where this Club can go.
“Over the summer, Álvaro and his staff have been meticulous in their preparation. They have trained our players to their way of playing, and I have been encouraged by how receptive the squad has been to his methods and philosophy.
“Tony Khan, our Director of Football, and I have found working with Álvaro on recruitment to be a total joy, and we will continue to consider additional paths and options to bolster our First Team in the week ahead.”
Class act
19:16 , Arthur Ferridge
Fulham have gifted every home fan a scarf ahead of today’s derby.
A scarf on every seat.
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 24, 2026
Fulham fam, you know what to do. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/tOSQhmOl1E
Xabi Alonso explains Caicedo and Palestra absence
19:11 , Arthur Ferridge
“During the week they had few setbacks. With Moi, we don’t want to take risks. They were not ready to play tonight. We go week-by-week, but they were not ready for tonight.”
Alonso and Arbeloa: Old friends reunited
19:08 , Arthur Ferridge
Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa go way back. In their playing days, the pair were team-mates both at Liverpool and for the Spanish national team.
They also worked together at Real Madrid last season. Arbeloa headed up the Castilla side when Alonso was appointed first-team head coach, and subsequently replaced him when Alonso was dismissed in January.
Arbeloa’s stint in charge of the side did not go too much better.
But the pair will be reunited today, and both have made clear that friendships will be left to one side during today’s match. Here’s what they’ve had to say:
Alonso: “You can have a relationship but once we're on the pitch, no friends and no past. We are fighting for 90 minutes.”
Arbeloa: “[I spoke to Alonso] a few days ago. We didn’t talk about football. Our families are coming to London, and we are very good friends. On Monday night, we will be there on the touchline, so close for 90 minutes. We will give everything for our clubs. We will try to win the games. For 90 minutes, like he said, we are not friends.”
Pat Nevin: Alonso's first season will be a failure if he cannot get Chelsea into Champions League
19:00 , Arthur Ferridge
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin sets the bar high for Alonso.
“Attractive football and Champions League qualification are the targets for Xabi Alonso. There has been a bit of a disconnect with the fans lately, many of whom are frustrated with what’s happened over the last few years. With something like five managers in five years, I’ve lost count, the club needs stability so the fans can fall in love with it again.
“A lot of supporters are fed up, especially after the implosion at the end of last season. That simply isn’t acceptable for a fan base that has enjoyed such incredible success in recent times. So, a top-five finish is essential to get back into the Champions League.”
“My background is in economics and accounts, I studied it at degree level and even I struggle to work out how Chelsea are managing these finances!
“It is incredible, but they absolutely need Champions League football, not just for the revenue, but for the global kudos that allows you to monetise a wider fan base.” (via OLBG)
What to make of the Fulham team
18:55 , Arthur Ferridge
Arbeloa has made some big calls here, with his side unchanged from that which faced Stuttgart in their most recent friendly.
Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios both start in the front three, with Rodrigo Muniz, Kevin, Shea Charles and Emile Smith Rowe all benched.
It is a youthful side, which also features Josh King and Oscar Bobb.
What to make of the Chelsea team
18:51 , Arthur Ferridge
It appears to be a 3-4-3 for Chelsea here, with Reece James and Romeo Lavia comprising the midfield two.
That means Enzo Fernandez is on the bench, and Moises Caicedo is left out of the squad altogether. He is presumably injured, but we will bring you the facts as soon as we have them.
There are full debuts for Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix.
CHELSEA CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
18:48 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Gusto, James, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro
Subs: Penders, Chavarria, Barco, Enzo Fernandez, Estevao, Gittens, Neto, Quenda, Welbeck
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