Alonso's Chelsea era starts with west London derby win

Chelsea started their campaign under new manager Xabi Alonso with a victory, beating west London neighbours Fulham 3-2 in the Premier League opener on Monday night.

Chelsea made history at the very start of the match. Joao Pedro lifted the ball over Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Cole Palmer's pass in just 31 seconds, the fastest goal in the competition's 34-year history for an opening round fixture.

Josh King's goal in the 24th minute brought Fulham level. However, Chelsea regained the lead four minutes before the break, with Morgan Rogers, the club's record £117 million signing, scoring from Maxence Lacroix's cutback.

Chelsea extended their lead early in the second half. Cole Palmer scored with a low shot from Joao Pedro's pass in the 49th minute, a significant sign of returning to form for the English forward who had lost his rhythm due to injury last season.

Fulham reduced the deficit five minutes later. Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez failed to control the ball after parrying Timothy Castagne's shot, allowing Gonzalo Garcia, who had arrived from Real Madrid, to head home on his Premier League debut.

Fulham had a chance to equalise late on. In the 78th minute, Antonee Robinson chipped the ball past the onrushing Sanchez, but his shot went just wide. With no further goals, Chelsea left the field with a 3-2 win.

Chelsea's Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez was also in the spotlight, being booed by Fulham supporters when he came on as a substitute in the second half.

This was Alonso's first competitive match as Chelsea manager, while Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa made his Premier League debut. Both were once teammates at Liverpool and for the Spanish national team. Arbeloa had briefly succeeded Alonso as Real Madrid manager last season.