Xabi Alonso's reign as Chelsea manager began with a dramatic 3-2 victory away at Fulham, a match that showcased both the attacking promise and defensive fragility of his new side at Craven Cottage.
Chelsea could hardly have dreamed of a better start, taking the lead inside 31 seconds. Cole Palmer found space to release Joao Pedro through the middle, and the Brazilian coolly dinked the ball over goalkeeper Bernd Leno to open his account for the campaign.
Fulham, under new boss Alvaro Arbeloa, refused to fold and drew level when 19-year-old Josh King latched onto a pass from Timothy Castagne before beating Robert Sanchez at his near post, exposing the Spanish goalkeeper's positioning.
Chelsea restored their advantage in unlikely fashion. Debutant centre-back Maxence Lacroix, signed for £52m, surged forward down the right flank before cutting the ball back for fellow new arrival Morgan Rogers, who slotted home his first goal for the club following his £117m move from Aston Villa.
The visitors extended their lead early in the second half when Joao Pedro exploited a gap in Fulham's high defensive line to tee up Palmer, who sent Leno the wrong way before finishing through the goalkeeper's legs.
Fulham pulled another goal back when Levi Colwill misjudged a long ball forward, allowing Castagne to test Sanchez, whose parried save fell perfectly for Gonzalo Garcia to head home on his debut. The hosts pushed for a leveller in the closing stages, with substitute Ryan Sessegnon forcing a save and King firing narrowly wide, but Chelsea held firm to secure the win.
Palmer was the standout performer on the pitch, looking sharp and confident after a difficult run with injuries last season that saw him miss out on England's World Cup squad. His performance alongside Joao Pedro and Rogers hinted at the attacking potential of Alonso's front three, even as questions remain over the team's defensive solidity.
Sanchez endured a torrid evening in goal, struggling with distribution early on and then culpable for both Fulham goals. Colwill and Cuenca were also error-prone at the back, while Lacroix impressed on his first Chelsea appearance both defensively and as an attacking outlet.
Speaking after the match, Alonso declined to single out Sanchez for criticism, insisting that defensive improvements needed to come from the team as a collective. He also praised his side's overall composure despite the chaotic nature of the contest.
For Fulham, King was excellent as their most dangerous outlet, while Oscar Bobb caused problems down the right in the first half. New signing Cesar Palacios worked hard in midfield, and Garcia's goal on debut offered encouragement in attack, but naive defending ultimately cost Arbeloa's side in his first game in the dugout following his departure from Real Madrid.
Chelsea made late changes as the game wore on, with Enzo Fernandez introduced to jeers from the home crowd amid ongoing speculation about his future, reportedly with interest from Manchester City. Fresh faces Pedro Neto, Geovany Quenda and Estevao also came off the bench to make their first appearances for the club.
Despite the rocky moments at the back, Alonso departed west London with three points and an early signal that his attacking approach could make Chelsea a threat to any side this season, even if there remains significant work to do defensively.
Based on reporting from The Independent, The Guardian, BBC Sport, and Evening Standard.