Xabi Alonso won his first game as Chelsea boss thanks to Morgan Rogers’s debut goal and Joao Pedro’s strike after just 31 seconds of a pulsating 3-2 victory against Fulham in the Premier League on Monday night.
Alonso has been hired to revive Chelsea after their dismal 10th-place finish in the Premier League last season.
The former Real Madrid boss has a point to prove after being sacked by the Spanish club following less than eight months in charge.
Alonso’s side ensured he delivered a good first impression in a chaotic west London derby at Craven Cottage.
Pedro’s opener inside the first minute was followed by a blunder from Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez that gifted an equaliser to Josh King.
Rogers put Chelsea back in front on his debut after becoming the most expensive British player in history following his £117 million ($159 million) move from Aston Villa.
Cole Palmer increased Chelsea’s advantage after half-time, and the Blues survived a frantic finale after Gonzalo Garcia bagged Fulham’s second goal following another Sanchez mistake.
On an evening when old friends were reunited on the touchline and on the pitch, Alonso emerged victorious against new Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa.
The pals played together for seven years with Real Madrid and Liverpool and also starred for Spain.
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Ironically, Arbeloa was promoted from Real Madrid B to replace Alonso when he was axed at the Bernabeu in January.
Rogers is also close friends with Palmer and the pair gelled immediately to lead a dynamic attacking display from Chelsea.
Rogers was deployed on the left of Chelsea’s three-man attack, with Palmer on the right and Pedro in the central role.
Palmer endured a difficult last campaign that saw him left out of England’s World Cup squad, and he played as if he was determined to make amends.
Keeping Rogers and Palmer fit and firing could be the key to Chelsea climbing back into contention for Champions League qualification this season.
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