Fulham vs Chelsea

Xabi Alonso's first Premier League match as Chelsea manager was not comfortable. It was not clean. It was not the kind of controlled, dominant display that his reputation for playing organised, progressive football might have led you to expect from minute one. What it was, was a 3–2 win at Craven Cottage that announced the arrival of a Chelsea side that can score three goals in a match, produce incredible moments of individual brilliance on offense, while, defensively, leaking like a sieve to give hope to their opponents.

João Pedro scored inside a minute — the Chelsea number nine latching onto a through ball and finishing with no hesitation. An extraordinary opening to Alonso's era, an extraordinary opening to the season. Craven Cottage went quiet. Chelsea fans allowed themselves exactly one second of calm before Fulham responded.

Fulham — energetic, combative, and clearly motivated by a new manager's first-game intensity — equalised through Josh King, and continued to be impressive moving forward every chance they got. Morgan Rogers, the most expensive British transfer in the English Premier League, scored in the 41st after some excellent play by another Chelsea newbie, Lacroix, who handed him a brilliant assist into an open goal. Soon after half-time, Cole Palmer scored in the 49th minute — the kind of finish that reminds you why he is, when fit and fully motivated, the best player in the Premier League. One touch, one look, one goal.

But Fulham did not go down easy. Gonzalo García, the forward that Arbeloa brought over from Real Madrid, pulled one back in less than 5 minutes. But try as they might, Fulham were unable to find the net once again and it ended 3–2 Chelsea — but not before giving Xabi Alonso and the Blues some anxious moments in the second half.

Three goals. Three different scorers. A comeback. A debut win. Alonso survives his opening afternoon — though as the headline noted, the "for now" matters. Maresca breathes easy. Wait — that's Alonso. Either way: Chelsea won.

The Couch predicted Chelsea to win 1–2. Chelsea won 2–3 (away). Right team. Wrong scoreline. The Couch called Palmer to be decisive. Palmer was decisive. The Couch is claiming this as a moral victory with a side of literal victory.