Chelsea beat Fulham 3-2 in a West London derby at Craven Cottage on Saturday. The match saw new signings Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix start, with Rogers scoring the opening goal.
Immediate Impact of Chelsea’s Summer Signings
Only two of Chelsea’s nine first-team summer signings started, and they were the most expensive acquisitions. Morgan Rogers, signed for £117 million, and Maxence Lacroix, bought from Crystal Palace, both made an instant impression. Lacroix opened the scoring with a header in the first three minutes, which set the tone for a high-scoring encounter. He then delivered a calm, measured performance in the back three, twisting Jorge Cuenca inside out and drawing Bernd Leno from his line before cutting the ball back to Rogers for a tap-in.
Rogers’ debut goal was followed by a second from Cole Palmer, who returned to form with a deft flick to Joao Pedro that set the Brazilian on target. The midfielder also showcased his off-ball work, closing down defenders and creating space for Rogers and Lacroix. Rogers’ contribution went beyond the goals; he pressed high, won the ball back early, and even attempted to flick Sanchez’s long kick onto Joao Pedro in a moment that was unclear on replay.
Robert Sanchez’s Inconsistency
Chelsea’s goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, was a focal point of discussion. His first touch was a long kick that floated out of play, and in the 14th minute he hesitated on a backpass from Josh Acheampong, allowing a corner. Sanchez’s shot-stopping was solid in some moments, but he made several mystifying errors, such as letting a well-placed shot from Josh King slip through his palms. The goalkeeper’s lapses raised doubts about his place as the first-choice keeper for a club with high ambitions.
Cole Palmer’s Resurgence
Palmer’s performance was a highlight for Chelsea. He provided a perfectly weighted flick to Joao Pedro early in the game and later delivered a nutmeg-style goal after a delayed pass from Pedro. His off-ball movement, balance, and control were evident, especially in a solo run that beat two Fulham defenders. Palmer’s calf injury earlier in the season seemed to have healed, allowing him to play with the flair that made him a natural showman.
Enzo Fernandez’s Brief Appearance
Enzo Fernandez was introduced at the 65th minute, replacing Romeo Lavia. The Argentine received a chorus of boos from the home crowd, a reaction that was partly due to the political context of his recent celebrations. Fernandez completed 17 of 19 passes, mainly playing the ball sideways and dropping into deeper positions, but did not reassert control for Chelsea.
Chelsea’s victory marked Xabi Alonso’s first Premier League win as manager. The win also showcased the immediate benefits of the club’s summer signings, while highlighting areas-particularly goalkeeping-that still require attention.
