Chelsea opens Alonso era with thrilling 3-2 victory over Fulham

Chelsea made a statement of intent under new manager Xabi Alonso with a convincing 3-2 victory over Fulham in their opening fixture of the campaign. The west London derby proved an entertaining affair, with both sides displaying attacking intent throughout the match at Craven Cottage.

Alonso's side capitalised on their attacking prowess through three different scorers. Portuguese winger Joao Felix opened the scoring before midfielder Morgan Rogers added the second. England international Cole Palmer then sealed the victory with Chelsea's third goal, showcasing the depth of attacking talent at the club's disposal.

Fulham mounted a spirited response with two goals of their own, ensuring a competitive contest that tested Chelsea's defensive resolve. Despite the opposition's efforts to stage a comeback, Alonso's team held firm to secure three points in his first competitive outing.

The victory signals an encouraging start to Chelsea's campaign under the Spanish tactician, who takes charge of a squad bolstered by summer recruitment. The performance demonstrated attacking fluency and suggests Alonso's tactical approach is already taking shape among his new players.