Xabi Alonso began his tenure as Chelsea manager with a victory as Morgan Rogers marked his debut with a goal and Joao Pedro struck after just 31 seconds in a pulsating 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday.
Alonso was appointed to revive Chelsea after their disappointing 10th-place finish in the Premier League last season. The former Real Madrid boss also has a point to prove after being dismissed by the Spanish giants less than eight months into his tenure.
Chelsea gave Alonso an encouraging first impression in a chaotic west London derby at Craven Cottage.
Pedro opened the scoring inside the first minute, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez gifted Fulham an equaliser when his error allowed Josh King’s effort to find the net.
Rogers restored Chelsea’s lead in the 41st minute on his debut, following his record-breaking £117 million ($159 million) move from Aston Villa in the close season.
Cole Palmer extended Chelsea’s advantage four minutes after half-time, but the visitors endured a nervy finale after Gonzalo Garcia capitalised on another Sanchez mistake to pull one back for Fulham.
In a reunion of old friends on the touchline and the pitch, Alonso got the better of Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa. The pair played together for seven years at Real Madrid and Liverpool and also represented Spain.
Ironically, Arbeloa was promoted from Real Madrid B to replace Alonso after the latter was sacked by the Spanish club in January.
Rogers also enjoyed an immediate connection with close friend Palmer as the pair helped Chelsea produce a lively attacking display.
Alonso deployed Rogers on the left of a three-man attack, with Palmer on the right and Pedro operating centrally.
Palmer endured a difficult campaign last season and was left out of England’s World Cup squad. He appeared determined to make an early statement as Chelsea looked to build momentum under their new manager.
Keeping Rogers and Palmer fit and in form could prove crucial if Chelsea are to challenge for Champions League qualification this season.
‘Ice-cold’ Rogers
Alonso’s reign could hardly have started more spectacularly.
Levi Colwill’s header found Palmer, who produced a deft flick into Pedro’s path. The Portuguese forward timed his run perfectly before calmly clipping the ball beyond Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno after just 31 seconds.
But Sanchez remains under pressure following a series of shaky performances last season, and the error-prone Spaniard was again at fault when Fulham levelled in the 23rd minute.
King’s effort was within Sanchez’s reach, but the goalkeeper failed to hold it and the ball squirmed into the net.
Chelsea were occasionally exposed at the back by Alonso’s adventurous 3-4-3 formation, but they continued to attack with purpose.
Leno produced an excellent save to deny Romeo Lavia before Rogers put Chelsea back in front four minutes before half-time.
The move began with a clever turn and pass from Palmer to debutant defender Maxence Lacroix. The Frenchman surged forward unexpectedly and delivered a low cross that found Rogers, who clinically finished from 10 yards.
Rogers celebrated with the ‘ice-cold’ gesture popularised by Palmer, who had borrowed it from his former Manchester City youth-team colleague.
Palmer then added Chelsea’s third four minutes into the second half.
Pedro held the ball up brilliantly in the build-up, allowing Palmer to burst into the Fulham area before firing a low shot past Leno from a tight angle.
Fulham reduced the deficit in the 54th minute after another Sanchez blunder.
Timothy Castagne’s shot was weakly parried by the Chelsea goalkeeper, and Garcia reacted quickest to head in the rebound on his Fulham debut after joining from Real Madrid.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was greeted by deafening boos from the Fulham fans when he came off the bench, a reaction linked to his controversial involvement in Argentina’s World Cup semi-final victory over England.
Fulham pushed desperately for an equaliser. King came close with a long-range effort that fizzed narrowly wide, while Antonee Robinson’s attempted lob over Sanchez also drifted just past the post.
Chelsea ultimately held on to give Alonso a winning start and three valuable points in his first Premier League match in charge.
AFP
