Fulham 2-3 Chelsea: Cole Palmer stars as Blues' superb front three edge pulsating contest in Xabi Alonso's first game

Cole Palmer was back to his best to get Xabi Alonso's Chelsea career off to a winning start in a chaotic 3-2 victory at Fulham on Monday Night Football.

The Blues' attacking trio of Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers looked every bit among the most potent in the Premier League as all three scored to earn Alonso a deserved win in a game bulging with entertainment and lacking in defending.

Palmer, finally injury-free and all the better for a summer away from England's World Cup campaign, scored one and made another, laying on an opener for Joao Pedro - himself refreshed after his surprise Brazil omission - to score after just 31 seconds. The trio never looked back from there.

Rogers got in on the act on debut with a late run to meet Maxence Lacroix's cross just before half-time, before his flick-on released Joao Pedro to tee up Palmer for a third shortly after the break.

Chelsea would have had an easier night despite the surprise injury absence of Moises Caicedo without a nightmare evening for goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, whose mistakes twice let Fulham back into the game.

The Spaniard, whose position as the Blues' No 1 has long been questioned, let Josh King's powerful but saveable drive in at his near post to level matters midway through the opening period before spilling a shot straight into the path of Goncalo Garcia to allow Fulham to make it 3-2.

The first taste of the Alvaro Arbeloa era suggested the Cottagers will play on the front foot regardless of opposition and they created plenty against their west London rivals - but will need to significantly improve their defensive discipline after being cut wide open for each of Chelsea's goals.

On this evidence, they will score plenty too - and could have snatched an equaliser when Antonee Robinson horribly miscued a chip with Sanchez in no man's land. But it would have been harsh on Chelsea, who ran out deserved winners thanks to their electric front three.

More to follow...