Palmer shines as Chelsea edge Fulham in Alonso's debut win

Xabi Alonso began his tenure as Chelsea manager with an entertaining 3-2 Premier League victory over west London rivals Fulham. The new-look front three of Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, and Joao Pedro were instrumental, with all three finding the back of the net. Palmer, in particular, showed flashes of his former brilliance after an injury-plagued year.

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We need to accept and learn from them [the mistakes]. This is going to be a process.

Joao Pedro opened the scoring early, but Fulham equalized through Josh King. Rogers marked his debut with a goal before halftime, and Palmer added Chelsea's third. However, the defense, particularly goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, showed vulnerabilities. Sanchez's errors contributed to both of Fulham's goals, prompting questions about his form.

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All the lines, from the strikers, the midfielders, the defence, the goalkeepers, we want to do better in everything.

Alonso acknowledged the team's need to improve collectively, stating, "We need to accept and learn from them [the mistakes]. This is going to be a process." He emphasized that all lines of the team, from strikers to goalkeepers, must perform better. Despite the defensive concerns, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher praised Chelsea's attacking trio, calling them "as good as anything in the Premier League right now," though he expressed doubts about winning the league with Sanchez in goal.

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Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro are as good as anything in the Premier League right now.

Palmer, who has recovered from a groin issue that hampered his previous season, expressed his renewed hunger and readiness. "Over the summer I rested, I recharged and, yeah, I'm ready and I'm hungry," he told Sky Sports. His performance against Fulham suggested a return to the form that impressed during his debut season at Stamford Bridge.

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Over the summer I rested, I recharged and, yeah, I'm ready and I'm hungry.