Premier League: Chelsea begin new chapter under manager Xabi Alonso with 3-2 win over London rivals Fulham

Chelsea made a winning start under new manager Xabi Alonso, edging west London rivals Fulham 3-2 in a thrilling Premier League clash on Monday. Their attacking trio of Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer all got on the scoresheet.

Chelsea needed just 31 seconds to break the deadlock. Palmer, showing signs of returning to his best after an injury-hit previous season, found Joao Pedro, who cleverly lifted the ball over Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

The goal went into the record books as the fastest scored in the opening round of matches in the Premier League's 34-year history.

Fulham responded in the 24th minute when Josh King caught Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez out at his near post, sparking celebrations among the home supporters against their fierce local rivals.

New signings combine to restore Chelsea’s lead

But two of Chelsea's new signings then combined in the 41st as central defender Maxence Lacroix jinked ​down the right before cutting the ball back to the club's £117 million ($159.47 million) record signing, Rogers, who made no mistake.

Four ​minutes into the second half, Pedro held up the ball in attack and fed Palmer, who angled a shot through Leno's legs, underlining the midfielder's return to form after missing out on a place with England at the World Cup.

"It was a difficult season with injuries and whatnot, but through the summer and since I've been back, I've worked extra hard," Palmer told Sky Sports.

“Obviously, with the injuries I've had to try and prevent them and work extra hard day in, day out. ‌I know ⁠the talent I've got, so I can put in performances like that.”

Fulham's Gonzalo Garcia, on his league debut after signing from Real Madrid, gave the hosts some hope by heading in after Sanchez could only parry a Timothy Castagne shot in the 54th.

Fulham then had a great chance to level again through Antonee Robinson in the 78th minute, but his chip over a stranded Sanchez went wide, and ⁠Chelsea held out to claim the points.

Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez – a lynchpin of World Cup runners-up Argentina who has been linked with a move to Manchester City - was greeted ​with loud boos from the home fans when he came on as a ​substitute midway through ⁠the second half.

Alonso gets winning start against former teammate

Alonso's win in his first competitive match since taking over at Stamford Bridge came at the expense of his former Liverpool and Spain teammate Alvaro Arbeloa - similarly making his Premier League debut as a coach - who also ⁠briefly succeeded ​Alonso as Real Madrid manager last season.

Alonso will hope midfielder Moises ​Caicedo and new fullback Marco Palestra, who are both injured, will provide more solidity while Sanchez could face an early challenge from Mike Penders, ​who has returned to Chelsea from sister club Racing Strasbourg.

(With inputs from Reuters)