Chelsea defeated Fulham 3–2 in the final match of the 2026–27 Premier League opening weekend.
The match was played at Craven Cottage on Monday 24 August 2026. Chelsea won the West London derby by a single goal, finishing the ten-match opening round with three points.
Fulham scored twice, but Chelsea scored three times and held on for victory. The fixture was the only Premier League match played on the Monday, following nine matches spread across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The game also marked new managerial beginnings in English football. Xabi Alonso led Chelsea, while Álvaro Arbeloa was in charge of Fulham. Their teams had contrasting starts: Chelsea won away, while Fulham began with a defeat at home.