Alonso Secures 3-2 Fulham Victory in First Match as Rogers Scores
Xabi Alonso began his tenure as Chelsea manager with a 3-2 Premier League victory against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday evening. The result offers immediate momentum to football club executives and supporters following Chelsea’s 10th-place finish last season, spearheaded by an early strike from Joao Pedro and a debut goal from £117 million signing Morgan Rogers.
Record Signing Rogers Delivers Immediate Return Alongside 31-Second Opener
Chelsea took the lead after just 31 seconds through Joao Pedro before 24-year-old British record signing Morgan Rogers, operating on the left of a three-man attack alongside Cole Palmer and Pedro, scored Chelsea’s second goal with a side-footed finish. Rogers, who completed a £117 million ($159.51 million) move from Aston Villa last month, played 80 minutes before being substituted by Alonso late in the west London derby.
The victory reunited Alonso on the touchline with new Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa, his former Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Spain teammate who was promoted from Real Madrid B to replace Alonso following his dismissal at the Bernabeu in January after less than eight months in charge.
