Six winners, four losers as Chelsea win: Boost for Mike Penders but £58m man ruins golden chance
Chelsea and Xabi Alonso got over the line in a pulsating West London derby on Monday night with a 3-2 win over Fulham – and below, we discuss the winners and the losers from the victory.
While Fulham did score twice, it never really felt as though Chelsea would walk away from Craven Cottage with anything less than a win. Xabi Alonso will be delighted that each of his front three managed to score.
The Chelsea XI to face Fulham has been confirmed!
No Caicedo or Palestra in the squad…
Joao Pedro scored after 31 seconds, before Morgan Rogers netted on his debut thanks to a brilliant run from fellow new signing Maxence Lacroix. Cole Palmer got a third for Chelsea with a typical Palmer finish.
However, Fulham scored twice, and there were major mistakes in the defensive third that have got to be addressed before Chelsea face a better side. Below are our winners and losers from Monday night’s win.
Six winners as Chelsea edge past Fulham
Cole Palmer
All the talk throughout the summer has been about how Palmer has finally got a summer’s rest under his belt. The pressure is now on for Palmer to perform, no excuses. He did exactly that: a goal and an assist.
Morgan Rogers
It might not have been a vintage Rogers performance, certainly not one deserving of a £117m price tag. But the England star will have been delighted to score, and it will do his confidence the world of good.
Joao Pedro
Much like Palmer, Pedro is under pressure to build on what was a super first season. Many believe the Brazil ace is now the best striker in the Premier League aside from Erling Haaland, and he showed that.
Josh Acheampong
A surprise inclusion with Wesley Fofana suspended amid rumours he could leave Chelsea before the deadline. However, Acheampong was superb on the night. Most defensive contributions on the pitch.
Pep Chavarria
Chelsea’s new left-back didn’t start, but when he came on, he looked very solid. Not only that, but Jorrel Hato did little to prove he can play as a left wing-back. The Spaniard’s chances of starting have improved.
Mike Penders
As Robert Sanchez struggled, arguably being at fault for both of Fulham’s goals, Mike Penders will have been watching from the bench secretly delighted. The Belgian’s chances of starting have just risen.
CHELSEA WIN: Xabi Alonso gets the win, but who impressed you most? 📈
Four losers as Xabi Alonso prepares for Luton Town clash
Robert Sanchez
Oh, poor old Rob. After a solid summer, Sanchez earned the backing of Alonso. Chelsea haven’t signed a new goalkeeper, yet on the night, two major Sanchez mistakes led to both Fulham goals. A 1/10 display.
Romeo Lavia
With Moises Caicedo picking up a knock in the week and Enzo Fernandez’s future still a doubt, Lavia got the chance to start in midfield. But the £58m signing struggled to take his chance and was substituted.
Jorrel Hato
A new role for Hato, who starred during the second half of last season at centre-back. The Netherlands man was tasked with playing at left wing-back, but he simply made too many mistakes with the ball.
Wesley Fofana
Suspended for Monday night’s clash, Fofana will have watched both Acheampong and Lacroix impress in the two positions he has any chance of starting in. No chance that Fofana starts against Brighton.
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