Xabi Alonso led Chelsea in their 2026–27 Premier League opener against Fulham.
Chelsea visited Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday, 24 August 2026, and won 3–2. Alonso was listed as Chelsea's manager for the 2026–27 season, while Álvaro Arbeloa managed Fulham.
The match was a notable meeting of two Spanish coaches with prominent playing and coaching backgrounds. Alonso had previously managed Bayer Leverkusen, while Arbeloa had worked within Real Madrid's coaching structure before taking charge of Fulham.
Chelsea's opening-round victory made Alonso a winning Premier League manager in his first league match for the club. The result also meant the season's final opening-round fixture produced five goals.