Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea traveled down the road to Craven Cottage to clash with Fulham in Gameweek one of the new Premier League season, picking up a crucial three points in a 3-2 victory.
Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers all shone with goals and their interplay, with the Blues looking particularly dangerous pressing Fulham’s backline.
Conversely, Chelsea did struggle going the other way, with Alonso’s back three’s highline putting his side at risk to counter-attacks, with new signing Maxence Lacroix often bailing out his side with his pace and physicality.
Sanchez criticism ignored
Alonso refused to comment specifically on goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s mistakes for both of Fulham’s goals, opting to point out the overall defensive errors rather than individual mistakes.
“It’s not about talking about individuals, their situations,” Alonso told Sky Sports. “It’s about understanding what it takes.
“For sure, the first goal we can do better than that. But it’s a process. It’s day one.
“And normally it’s easier to learn with three points.”
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‘Did you not watch the game?’
Blues starman Palmer was asked by a reporter after the game whether he was ready to take on the new season, in which he jokingly replied: “Did you not watch the game?
“It was a difficult season with injuries and whatnot but through the summer and since I’ve been back I’ve worked extra hard.
“Obviously with the injuries I’ve had to try and prevent them and work extra hard day in, day out. I know the talent I’ve got so I can put in performances like that.
“Normally I’m not an emotional person, the people who know me know I’m not usually bothered about things in life, but over the summer I rested, I recharged and yeah I’m ready and I’m hungry.”
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