Xabi Alonso's tenure as Chelsea manager began with a victory, despite the team displaying both promising attacking play and defensive vulnerabilities. The new-look front three showed immediate understanding, with João Pedro scoring just 31 seconds into the match, equalling a Premier League record for the quickest goal under a new manager. Cole Palmer also played a pivotal role, contributing to all three Chelsea goals.
However, the match highlighted a persistent issue in goal, with Robert Sánchez's positioning and handling questioned on Fulham's two goals. This continues a pattern of goalkeeping concerns for Chelsea, despite the club's significant investment in other areas of the squad.
Alonso's tactical approach, focused on rapid turnovers and transitions, marked a clear departure from the previous manager's style. While at times reckless, the end-to-end play was described as thrilling. The midfield pairing of Roméo Lavia and Reece James, a first for the club, also featured, though Fulham reportedly controlled the midfield for significant periods.