Chelsea Beat Fulham 3-2 as Rogers Scores on Debut

Chelsea began Xabi Alonso's competitive tenure with a 3-2 Premier League win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday, surviving a second-half push from their west London rivals. The Guardian reported that João Pedro, debutant Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer scored for Chelsea, while Josh King and Gonzalo García replied for Fulham.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEZu0A0gbIw

João Pedro gave Chelsea an exceptionally fast start, scoring after 31 seconds. Palmer's flick opened the Fulham defense and sent the Brazilian forward through, and João Pedro lifted his finish over goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The early goal followed strong preseason form for the Chelsea striker and immediately put Fulham under pressure in Alvaro Arbeloa's first league match in charge.

Fulham responded rather than retreating. King equalized with a low shot from a tight angle that went under Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez at the near post. Fulham then threatened again through García, but Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong made a block to prevent the home side from moving ahead.

Chelsea restored their advantage through Rogers, who was making his debut following his move from Aston Villa. New center-back Maxence Lacroix advanced beyond Fulham's defense and pulled the ball back for Rogers to finish, giving Chelsea a 2-1 lead. The goal capped a productive first appearance in which Rogers operated alongside Palmer behind João Pedro.

Palmer extended the lead early in the second half after João Pedro broke down the left and supplied the pass. Palmer shaped as though he might cut the ball back, then rolled his shot through Leno's legs. Fulham reduced the deficit in the 54th minute when Sánchez spilled Timothy Castagne's effort and García headed in the rebound.

Fulham created three further opportunities to equalize, according to The Guardian's match report, but Chelsea held on. The result delivered three points in Alonso's first competitive match as Chelsea manager, although the narrow margin and Fulham's repeated chances showed the visitors remained vulnerable despite the effectiveness of their new-look attack.