EPL: Chelsea Win Five-Goal Thriller At Fulham To Start PL Season

Chelsea celebrates goal

Chelsea claim seventh win in nine at Craven Cottage with victory. Joao Pedro scores fastest ever PL opener as Chelsea win 3-2 at Fulham.

Xabi Alonso off to winning start as Chelsea edge Fulham 3-2...

Levi Colwill recycled a Fulham clearance and Palmer slipped in Joao Pedro, who chipped a delicate finish over Bernd Leno. It was the fastest goal ever scored by a team in their Premier League season opener.  

Palmer matched his assist total from last season in just 31 seconds, and moments later he dragged a shot straight at Leno.

Defences looked shaky on both sides. Robert Sanchez was especially nervy and was beaten at his near post by Josh King’s driven 23rd-minute equalizer.

Fulham seized the momentum, but Josh Acheampong made a crucial block to stop new signing Gonzalo Garcia from scoring on his debut.

Chelsea got back on top. Pedro volleyed just wide and then Leno stood up well to deny Romeo Lavia from close range.

Chelsea retook the lead four minutes before half-time. Summer signings combined as Lacroix pulled it back for £117m Morgan Rogers, who slotted low past Leno.

Grip On The Game

Palmer made it 3-1 four minutes into the second half. Pedro played him in behind and he coolly slotted through Leno’s legs. 10 of his last 11 Chelsea goals have now come before the 60th minute.

Fulham hit back five minutes later. Sanchez pushed Castagne’s shot into the path of Garcia, who headed in off the bar. All seven of Garcia’s career league goals have now come at home.

What a match.@chelseafc edge a five-goal thriller! pic.twitter.com/syPHklicbk

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 24, 2026

King was lively again and nearly beat Sanchez 18 minutes from time, but his low effort slid just wide of the post.

Antonee Robinson also came close, lobbing Sanchez but watching it bounce wide. Fulham’s wait for an opening-day London derby win in the PL goes on, that’s four straight defeats now.

Cole Palmer at his brilliant best ✨

🔎 @Microsoft pic.twitter.com/n451V9cnXC

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 24, 2026

Pedro thought he’d made it 4-2 in stoppage time but the flag went up for offside. It didn’t matter. Chelsea claimed their first opening-day win since 2022, and a seventh win in their last nine trips to Craven Cottage.