Fulham v Chelsea
Play By Play
The final whistle goes then, and Chelsea make a winning start to the Xabi Alonso era, beating Fulham 3-2 in a barnstorming West London derby. It's an excellent way to round out the opening MD1 games in the Premier League, with Palmer sensational and Rogers making a fine debut. It all started with Palmer setting up Joao Pedro to clip home the opener after just 31 seconds. Poor goalkeeping from Sanchez saw the excellent King drill in the equaliser for Fulham. But Rogers marked his debut with a goal after fine work from Lacroix, and Palmer slid in a third after great hold-up play from Joao Pedro early in the second half. Fulham hit back again with Garcia nodding in a goal on his first Premier League start, with Sanchez again not covering himself in glory. Ultimately, though, Chelsea - who had a superior xG of 1.70 to 1.35 - did enough to get the job done, and if Palmer plays like that they could have a very strong season. Fulham will be encouraged by elements of their play, but it's defeat in their first game under Arbeloa. Thanks for joining us for this one folks, until next time!
FULL-TIME: FULHAM 2-3 CHELSEA
ON TARGET! Muniz let's fly from long range, but it's comfortable for Sanchez. That's likely it.
Neto finds half a yard on the right of the area, but he puts his shot into the side-netting. This one is almost over...
If Fulham are going to do something, then it has to be now. Chelsea are closing in on their first win under Alonso.
GOOOOOAAAA-no! Chelsea think they've wrapped things up. Quenda gets onto Joao Pedro's flick on, but his shot is saved by Leno. Joao Pedro puts the follow-up into the unguarded goal, but Quenda was offside in the build-up. There will be four minutes of additional time to play here.
Chelsea win a corner, which Estevao takes short and Joao Pedro looks to hold in the corner. It's brave to do that alread, there could be a fair bit of injury time to come.
Castagne absolutely scythes down Colwill and gets a deserved yellow card.
We're fast approaching last-chance saloon territory for Fulham, who still trail 3-2. It's been an excellent game of football this, can there be one last twist? Or are Chelsea going to see it out?
Sessegnon does really well to get past Acheampong and get a shot on target against Sanchez. The resulting corner is poor, though.
And, as expected, the excellent Palmer is heading off. A goal and an assist, not a bad way to start what he hopes will be an extended return to form. Estevao comes on in his place.
Rogers gets a great reception as he walks past the Chelsea supporters after a goalscoring debut. He is replacedby Quenda.
Both sides are making changes here. Fulham go first as Robinson is replaced by Muniz. Arbeloa is going for it here.
Uh-oh, that's a bit of a concern as Palmer is seen grasping at his calf. Looks like it could be just a bit of cramp, though. He's smiling and indicating to the bench he wants a couple more minutes here.
OOOOH, WAS THAT THE CHANCE?! Fulham launch a long ball forward, and Robinson gets ahead of Acheampong. Sanchez comes out, then looks to retreat, leaving Robinson the chance to lob him. But he can't direct it goalwards, and he sends it looping wide of the right post. A big, big opportunity for Fulham that.
Bassey looks for a foul against Fernandez, but is shown a yellow card for simulation by Brooks.
Alonso makes another change for Chelsea as Gusto is replaced by Neto.
James is booked for pulling back King. He's not happy about it, and he gives the Fulham man some verbals. It was a clear booking, so it's hard to know what riled the Chelsea skipper there.
And it's Berge who is replaced by Sessegnon, so there will be a little shuffle in terms of who's playing where.
Here come those aforementioned changes from Fulham, as Kevin replaces Palacios.
CLOSE! It's King again for Fulham, he's been excellent. He drives in from the left channel again, then hits a low effort just wide of the left-hand post.
Fulham are lining up a couple of attacking changes, Kevin and Sessegnon are getting their gear on.
Chelsea have won their last 75 away Premier League matches when leading by two-plus goals, since a 2-2 draw with Reading in January 2013 under Rafael Benitez. Can they make that 76 here?
Arbeloa now looks to the bench as well as Charles makes his debut in place of Bobb.
Alonso also sits down Hato, as Chavarria makes his Premier League debut.
