Chelsea defeated Fulham 3–2 at Craven Cottage in the final match of the 2026–27 Premier League opening weekend.
The London derby was played on Monday, 24 August 2026, and concluded the first Premier League match round. Fulham were the home side, while Chelsea made the short trip across London to Craven Cottage.
Chelsea’s victory was one of the closest results of the opening weekend. Unlike Arsenal, Brighton, Brentford and Hull City, Chelsea conceded two goals, but their three-goal total was enough to secure all three points.
The match was also associated with new managerial appointments. Chelsea were managed by Xabi Alonso, while Fulham were led by Álvaro Arbeloa. Because both clubs are based in London, the fixture added a local derby to a weekend already featuring several important opening-round storylines.