FOOTBALL – CHELSEA began life under new coach Xabi Alonso with a breathless 3-2 win at West London neighbours Fulham in the Premier League yesterday as their exciting front three of Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer all found the net.
Chelsea got off to a dream start after 31 seconds when Palmer – looking back to his best after struggling with an injury last season – passed to Joao Pedro and the Brazilian flicked the ball over goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Fulham equalised when Josh King beat Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez at his near post in the 24th minute. But two of Chelsea’s new signings then combined in the 41st as central defender Maxence Lacroix jinked down the right before cutting the ball back to the club’s £117 million ($159.47m) record signing Rogers, who made no mistake.
Four minutes into the second half, Palmer slotted the ball through Leno’s legs after he was fed by Joao Pedro.
Fulham’s Gonzalo Garcia, on his league debut after signing from Real Madrid, gave the hosts hope by heading in after Sanchez could only parry a Timothy Castagne shot in the 54th.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez – a lynchpin of World Cup runners-up Argentina who has been linked with a move to Manchester City – was greeted with loud boos from the home fans when he came on as a substitute midway through the second half.
Fulham then had a great chance to level again through Antonee Robinson in the 78th minute but his chip over a stranded Sanchez went wide and Chelsea held out to claim the points.
n Meanwhile, Manchester City have agreed a deal worth up to £34.2 million ($46.61m) to sign Palmeiras winger Allan Elias, British media reported yesterday.
According to BBC and Sky Sports reports, City will pay an initial £32m for the 22-year-old Brazilian, with a further £2m in potential add-ons.
Allan, who also plays as an attacking midfielder, joined Palmeiras’ youth set up in 2019 and made his senior debut in January 2025.
He has since played 96 times for the club, scoring nine goals with 12 assists, and was part of the side that won the Sao Paulo top-flight Campeonato Paulista in 2024 and 2026.
He is expected to miss Wednesday’s Copa do Brasil quarter-final against Santos as he prepares for the move, according to Brazilian media reports.
Allan is set to replace fellow Brazilian Savinho, who is reportedly nearing a move from City to Tottenham Hotspur.
There are also reports that say City are set to sign midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from French side Lille, with British media reporting the Premier League club could pay up to 100m euros ($116.80m) for the 18-year-old.
The Athletic reported City will pay an initial fee of 95m plus up to five million in add-ons for the Morocco international.
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