Chelsea kicked off the 2026/27 Premier League season with a 3-2 win at Craven Cottage, turning a West London derby into a statement of intent under new manager Xabi Alonso. The match, played on August 24, 2026, featured five goals, two managerial debuts, and a record that took exactly one minute to set.
João Pedro needed just 60 seconds to find the net, recording the fastest goal in the history of a Premier League opening fixture.
A first half that refused to slow down
Pedro’s opener set the tempo. Fulham, under their own new appointment Álvaro Arbeloa, responded with purpose. Joshua King equalized around the 23rd minute mark, converting to make it 1-1.
Morgan Rogers restored Chelsea’s advantage in the 41st minute, sending the visitors into halftime with a 2-1 lead.
