One stat proves Xabi Alonso has completely transformed Chelsea after just one match

Palmer put in a 10/10 display and will have delighted his manager with his performance. However, that is not the only thing that Alonso would have been pleased with.

CHELSEA WIN: Xabi Alonso gets the win, but who impressed you most? 📈

Last season, Chelsea were heavily criticised for constantly being outrun in games. As per FotMob, they had the lowest average for distance covered in the Premier League (109.7 km).

However, against Fulham, they ran 120.1 km. Only their west London rivals covered more ground (121.1 km) in the Premier League’s opening weekend.

It is early days, but based on that, Alonso looks to have completely transformed this Chelsea side after just one match in charge!

Evidently, Chelsea ran a lot at Craven Cottage. Surprisingly, the hosts actually had more possession than Alonso’s team, but when the latter did have the ball, they were so dangerous with it.

Going forward, the three goalscorers, Palmer, Rogers and Pedro, were magnificent. After the game, Gary Neville had a lot of praise for Chelsea’s attack, claiming that it was one of the best things to come from the first round of Premier League fixtures.

The Blues play Luton Town next in the Carabao Cup, and you would expect Palmer, Rogers and Pedro to get a rest. After that, they face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, and supporters will be hoping to see Alonso unleash the trio in that game.

There has been talk about Chelsea now potentially challenging Arsenal for the title, but they have a lot of work to do defensively if that is to happen. Robert Sanchez was a calamity in goal on Monday, while Levi Colwill was a bit shaky at times.