Joao Pedro inspires Chelsea to opening-day win over Fulham

Chelsea began their Premier League campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fulham, with Joao Pedro scoring once and setting up another as Xabi Alonso’s side secured three points in an eventful opening match.

Joao Pedro gave Chelsea the perfect start by scoring after only 31 seconds, the fastest goal in the history of the Premier League’s opening round. Cole Palmer supplied the pass, and Joao Pedro lifted his finish over the Fulham goalkeeper to put the visitors ahead.

Fulham had the chance to respond in the 15th minute when Joshua King found himself in a promising position, but Chelsea goalkeeper Roberto Sanchez made the save.

King did find the net eight minutes later, however. His powerful effort was stopped by Sanchez, but the ball still crossed the line to bring Fulham level.

Chelsea restored their advantage shortly before half-time. New signing Morgan Rogers completed a move created by Maxence Lacroix, who made progress before finding Rogers arriving from behind. Rogers finished into the Fulham net in the 41st minute to give Chelsea a 2-1 lead at the interval.

Rogers enjoyed a notable debut for Chelsea. He became the first player for the club since the 2003-04 season to record at least three shots and create at least three chances in the first half of his first Premier League appearance.

He also created five chances on his Chelsea Premier League debut, making him the first player in the club’s history to reach that figure in his first match in the competition since 2003-04.

Palmer extended Chelsea’s lead five minutes after the restart. After weaving past the Fulham defence, he had seen an earlier effort go wide in the 48th minute, but he made no mistake two minutes later when Joao Pedro’s pass allowed him to place the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs.

Fulham reduced the deficit almost immediately. Gonzalo Garcia, another new arrival, scored in the 54th minute to register his first Premier League goal and make it 3-2.

Joao Pedro came close to adding another in the 64th minute, sending a well-struck effort just wide of the Fulham goal. He appeared to have scored again in the 90th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Chelsea’s starting XI was the youngest among all Premier League clubs in the opening round of the season, with an average age of 24 years and 43 days. Alonso selected Rogers alongside Joao Pedro and Palmer, while Enzo Fernandez began the match on the substitutes’ bench.

The result gave Chelsea their first victory of the new Premier League season under Alonso.

Chelsea will face Brighton on Sunday in their second league match of the campaign. Fulham will also be in action on Sunday, when they play Sunderland.