Xabi Alonso won his first game as Chelsea boss thanks to Morgan Rogers’s debut goal and Joao Pedro’s strike after just 31 seconds of a pulsating 3-2 victory against Fulham on Monday.
Alonso has been hired to revive Chelsea after their dismal 10th place finish in the Premier League last season.
The former Real Madrid boss has a point to prove after being sacked by the Spanish club following less than eight months in charge.
Alonso’s side ensured he delivered a good first impression in a chaotic west London derby at Craven Cottage.
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“It was a professional performance,” he said after the match.
“To win away in the Premier League is really tough and we knew we were prepared for that to manage emotionally the game as well.”
Pedro’s opener inside the first minute was followed by a blunder from Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez that gifted an equaliser to Josh King.
Rogers put Chelsea back in front on his debut after becoming the most expensive British player in history following his £117 million ($225 million) move from Aston Villa in the close-season.
Cole Palmer increased Chelsea’s advantage after half-time and the Blues survived a frantic finale after Gonzalo Garcia bagged Fulham’s second goal following another Sanchez mistake.
The pairing of Rogers and Palmer came in for particular praise.
“I think we said before the game on paper that front three is sensational – and it looked it in the game,” former great Jamie Carragher said on Sky Ports.
“When you think of him (Rogers), Palmer and Joao Pedro – that is as good as anything in the Premier League.”
On an evening when old friends were reunited on the touchline and on the pitch, Alonso emerged victorious against new Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa.
The pals played together for seven years with Real Madrid and Liverpool and also starred for Spain.
Ironically, Arbeloa was promoted from Real Madrid B to replace Alonso when he was axed at the Bernabeu in January.
Rogers is also close friends with Palmer and the pair gelled immediately to lead a dynamic attacking display from Chelsea.
Rogers was deployed on the left of Chelsea’s three-man attack, with Palmer on the right and Pedro in the central role.
Palmer endured a difficult last campaign that saw him left out of England’s World Cup squad and he played as if he was determined to make amends.
Keeping Rogers and Palmer fit and firing could be the key to Chelsea climbing back into contention for Champions League qualification this season.
Alonso’s reign got off to a stunning start when Levi Colwill’s header reached Palmer and he flicked a deft pass into the path of Pedro, who timed his run perfectly and clipped a composed finish past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
But Sanchez is under pressure after some shaky performances last term and the error-prone Spaniard was at fault when Fulham drew level in the 23rd minute.
King’s strike was close enough for Sanchez to save but he allowed the ball to squirm into the net.
While Chelsea were often left exposed at the back by Alonso’s bold 3-4-3 formation, they attacked with poise and purpose.
Romeo Lavia’s effort was superbly saved by Leno before Rogers restored the visitors’ lead in the 41st minute.
It was a brilliant move, started by Palmer’s clever turn and pass to debutant defender Maxence Lacroix, whose unexpected burst forward produced a low cross that reached Rogers for a clinical finish from 10 yards.
Rogers celebrated with the ‘ice-cold’ gesture that Palmer popularised after borrowing it from his former Manchester City youth team colleague.
Not to be outdone by his mate, Palmer bagged Chelsea’s third goal four minutes after half-time.
Pedro did well in the build-up, holding the ball long enough for Palmer to burst into the Fulham area and plant a low shot past Leno from a tight angle.
Fulham reduced the deficit in the 54th minute thanks to another howler by Sanchez.
Timothy Castagne’s shot was weakly pushed out by the keeper and Garcia pounced to head in the rebound on his debut after signing from Real Madrid.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez came off the bench to deafening boos from Fulham fans after his provocative role in Argentina’s World Cup semi-final win over England.
King nearly levelled for Fulham with a long-range rocket that fizzed just wide before Antonee Robinson’s lob over Sanchez drifted narrowly wide.