Cole Palmer was labelled ‘sensational’ and ‘majestic’ after he returned to his sensible finest for Chelsea towards Fulham, although Gary Neville has despatched Xabi Alonso essential switch recommendation.
Palmer and new signing Morgan Rogers ran the present as Chelsea beat Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage to start the Alonso period in entertaining trend. Palmer had a disappointing 2025-26 season, which culminated in him lacking out on a spot in England’s World Cup squad, however he was unstoppable at instances towards Fulham.
Chelsea took the lead within the first minute when Maxence Lacroix gained the header from an extended Fulham move, permitting Palmer to play Joao Pedro in with an amazing first-time contact.
Pedro delightfully chipped over Bernd Leno to start the marketing campaign in type.
Nevertheless, Josh King equalised for Fulham as Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez did not preserve out his low drive when he actually ought to have achieved higher.
Fortunately for Alonso, his attacking firepower steered Chelsea to all three factors. Rogers netted his first Blues objective after nice work by Lacroix within the field.
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Shortly after the break, Palmer displayed unbelievable footwork within the Fulham penalty space a minute earlier than sending the ball by means of Leno’s legs and into the online from a decent angle.
Gonzalo Garcia clawed one again for Fulham within the 54th minute after one other error from Sanchez, however Chelsea noticed out the win.
Sky Sports co-commentator Alan Smith known as Palmer ‘majestic’ and ‘completely sensational’, whereas pundit Neville set the Englishman’s worth at £120-125m.
“Cole Palmer, sensational. When you’re speaking about Palmer getting again to his finest, he [Alonso] has a £120-125million participant there,” Neville claimed.
“Rogers getting a objective… these two simply being electrical with Joao Pedro up entrance – the entrance three have been sensible tonight.”
When requested if the efficiency was a warning for Chelsea’s Premier League rivals, Carragher replied: “Sure. On paper, that entrance three is sensational, but it surely regarded it within the sport.
“I feel Joao Pedro is unbelievable. Rogers’ first sport, what a begin.
Goalkeeping points will ‘hang-out’ Chelsea
“Whenever you consider him, Palmer and Pedro, that’s nearly as good as something within the Premier League proper now.
“However I do assume there’s considerations defensively, they conceded a few targets, you take a look at the goalkeeper…
“They must kind the goalkeeping challenge out as a result of it’s going to return again to hang-out them once more this season.”
Neville urged Alonso and Chelsea to deal with the keeper issues by signing a brand new No 1.
“They’ve added an skilled participant in centre-back, central midfield and centre-forward,” he stated.
“I don’t know if Emi Martinez is accessible or not, however somebody like that should are available in at Chelsea as a result of that [Sanchez staying] will undermine all the things they do.
“The positives from Fulham got here from the encouragement Sanchez gave them with the targets.”
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