Fulham 2 - 3 Chelsea

Chelsea kicked off their Premier League campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fulham on August 24, 2026, at Craven Cottage. The match was a showcase of attacking football and set the tone for the season ahead.

The action started early, with João Pedro finding the net just a minute into the game, assisted by Cole Palmer, giving Chelsea an early lead. However, Fulham responded quickly, leveling the score in the 23rd minute when Joshua King scored from a Timothy Castagne assist.

Chelsea regained their advantage just before halftime in the 41st minute, with Morgan Rogers finishing expertly after a setup from Maxence Lacroix. The Blues continued to apply pressure after the break, and Cole Palmer netted the third goal for Chelsea in the 49th minute, with João Pedro providing the assist once again.

Fulham, determined to fight back, pulled one back in the 54th minute through a header from Gonzalo García, making the score 2-3. The latter stages of the match saw both teams making tactical substitutions in an attempt to either secure the lead or find an equalizer.

Despite the frantic pace, Chelsea held firm, showcasing their defensive resilience and attacking prowess under new coach Xabi Alonso. The victory not only marked a strong start to the season for Chelsea but also highlighted the potential of their new signings, with Pedro and Palmer playing pivotal roles in the match. Fulham will reflect on their performance with mixed feelings, having shown fight but ultimately falling short against their London rivals.