Chelsea Beats Fulham 3-2 as Xabi Alonso Wins Managerial Debut

LONDON —

Chelsea opened its Premier League season with a 3-2 win at Fulham on Monday, giving new manager Xabi Alonso a victory in his first competitive match in charge, according to Channel NewsAsia. The match, played at Craven Cottage, also marked the Premier League managerial debut of Fulham's Alvaro Alonso's former Liverpool and Spain teammate, Alvaro Arbeloa, who briefly succeeded Alonso as Real Madrid's manager last season, Channel NewsAsia reported.

Chelsea took the lead after just 31 seconds when Cole Palmer set up Joao Pedro, who flicked the ball over goalkeeper Bernd Leno, Channel NewsAsia reported. It was the fastest goal scored on an opening weekend in the Premier League's 34-year history, according to Channel NewsAsia. Fulham's Josh King equalized in the 24th minute, beating goalkeeper Robert Sanchez at his near post, BBC Sport reported. Chelsea regained the lead in the 41st minute when Maxence Lacroix set up Morgan Rogers, who joined the club this summer in a $159.47 million (117 million pound) transfer from Aston Villa, according to Channel NewsAsia. Palmer made it 3-1 four minutes into the second half, and Fulham's Gonzalo Garcia, on his league debut after arriving from Real Madrid, pulled one back in the 54th minute with a close-range header, BBC Sport reported. Garcia became the first Fulham player to score on his Premier League debut since Chris David in 2014, according to Yahoo Sports. Fulham's Antonee Robinson had a chance to equalize in the 78th minute but put a chip over Sanchez wide, BBC Sport reported.

Arbeloa Points To Bad Timing

Arbeloa told the BBC's "Match of the Day" that Fulham conceded goals at the worst possible moments. "We concede goals in the first minute, the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half and there are not worse moments to concede," he said, according to Yahoo Sports. "But we showed character and personality and I am very proud of how my players responded." He said Fulham's mistakes gave Chelsea easy goals and that his team needs to be sharper from the opening whistle.

Praise For Young Players

Arbeloa singled out King as "absolutely amazing" and praised Garcia and midfielder Cesar Palacios, both debutants, saying they "need a bit more time but they are doing great," according to Yahoo Sports. Palmer, who missed England's World Cup squad last season because of injury, told Sky Sports he had worked hard to get back to form over the summer, Channel NewsAsia reported. Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, linked with a move to Manchester City, was booed by Fulham fans when he came on as a substitute, according to Channel NewsAsia.