Xabi Alonso was Chelsea’s manager when the club beat Fulham 3–2 in the 2026–27 Premier League opener.
Chelsea defeated Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday 24 August 2026, the final match of the opening weekend. The victory gave Alonso a winning start in his first Premier League match in charge of Chelsea.
João Pedro scored after only 31 seconds, and Morgan Rogers restored Chelsea’s lead before half-time. Cole Palmer then scored early in the second half, while Fulham replied through Josh King and Gonzalo García.
The west London derby also featured a managerial meeting between friends and former colleagues. Fulham were managed by Álvaro Arbeloa, another former Spanish player. Chelsea held on for a 3–2 victory despite Fulham’s late pressure.