Xabi Alonso marked his managerial debut at Chelsea with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage, propelled by a debut goal from Morgan Rogers and an early strike from Joao Pedro within the opening 31 seconds of the match.
Tasked with revitalizing a Chelsea side that ended last season in a disappointing 10th place, Alonso faced immediate pressure to make a strong impression. His side delivered just that in a frenetic west London derby, showcasing resilience and attacking flair amid a rollercoaster game.
The match burst into life right from the outset, with Pedro firing Chelsea ahead almost immediately. However, the visitors’ lead was short-lived as a costly error from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez allowed Fulham’s Josh King to level the score. The pendulum swung back when Rogers, who joined Chelsea in a record-breaking £117 million ($159 million) transfer from Aston Villa, netted on his very first appearance to restore the Blues’ advantage.
Rogers’ Impact and Chelsea’s Narrow Escape
After the break, Cole Palmer extended Chelsea’s lead, adding further hope to Alonso’s first outing. Yet, the match was far from settled. Fulham capitalized once more on mistakes from Sanchez, with Gonzalo Garcia pulling a goal back in the closing stages, intensifying the drama. Despite a frantic finish, Chelsea held on to secure the win.
The fixture also carried an intriguing subplot as Alonso faced off against Alvaro Arbeloa, the new Fulham boss and a former teammate. Both men had shared several seasons on the pitch together at Real Madrid and Liverpool, as well as representing Spain internationally. Notably, Arbeloa had succeeded Alonso at Real Madrid B, adding an extra layer of narrative to the encounter.
Ultimately, Alonso’s first match in charge at Chelsea ended with a hard-fought victory, signaling a promising start as he looks to steer the club back to former heights after his brief and challenging spell at Real Madrid.