Winning start to life at Chelsea for Xabi Alonso after win over Fulham

Chelsea's new manager Xabi Alonso made a strong start to his tenure with a 3-2 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage. The game kicked off with Joao Pedro scoring for Fulham just 31 seconds into the match, signaling the beginning of a new chapter for the club. Despite an impressive display from Chelsea, particularly in attacks, their defensive vulnerabilities were evident, much like in previous seasons.

Despite spending nearly £350 million this summer, Chelsea still struggled with defensive frailties, as demonstrated by Robert Sanchez's failed save on Josh King's first-half equalizer.

The turning point came when Cole Palmer scored for Chelsea early in the second half with a beautiful finish, followed by another from Cole Palmer to make it 3-1. Alonso's defense would have benefited from more time to gel, as Fulham's persistence led to Gonzalo Garcia equalizing with a header. The game ended with a 3-2 victory for Chelsea, leaving fans encouraged by the new manager's leadership, but also wary of the challenges that lie ahead.