How did Alonso fare in his Premier League opener?

[BBC] [Getty Images] Premier League history was made before a ball was even kicked this season as a record nine clubs started the campaign with new managers. Xabi Alonso, who is the latest with his foot in the revolving door of managers at Stamford Bridge, got his first taste of competitive action as Chelsea manager. So how did he fare on an eventful first weekend of the 2026-27 campaign? It wasn't a bad start to take the lead after 31 seconds and it was a satisfactory start to Alonso's reign, but there was obvious good and obvious bad in what he watched at Craven Cottage. First, the good. The attacking triumvirate of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and newcomer Morgan Rogers hit the ground running, all scoring and combining to devastating effect. Equally devastating to Chelsea's Premier League chances, and to the Alonso revival, could be the failure to find a better goalkeeper than the unreliable Robert Sanchez, who was at fault for both Fulham goals. Alonso must find an answer quickly, otherwise what Palmer, Joao Pedro and Rogers give with one hand, Sanchez could take away with both hands. Tactically, Alonso used a back three with Reece James operating in midfield but also dropping back into defence. Read Phil's thoughts on how the rest of the new faces fared here