We made the ideal start to a half in which momentum swung back and forth. After just 32 seconds, Palmer flicked a pass into the path of Joao Pedro, who broke clear of the Fulham backline to score.

Fulham equalised via Josh King in the 23rd minute, but Alonso's side responded and deservedly went into the interval ahead when, after excellent work from Maxence Lacroix, Rogers swept home on his debut.

Palmer got his name on the scoresheet early into the second half, finishing off an attack which included contributions from Rogers and Joao Pedro. Yet Fulham hit back quickly through Gonzalo Garcia.

The Blues had to dig in during the time that remained. It was about grit and determination – and we came through to ensure a winning start for Alonso and to our Premier League campaign.

Perfect start

Marco Palestra and Moises Caicedo both missed the game with minor setbacks. So Alonso opted for a starting XI of Robert Sanchez, Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto, captain Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Jorrel Hato, Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro.

Alonso anticipated a fiery west London derby – and the game lived up to his expectations. Yet we made the perfect start at Craven Cottage, with our opening goal arriving inside 35 seconds.

There appeared little danger when a Fulham clearance was fired into the Chelsea half, but Lacroix won his header, the ball broke to Palmer, who flicked it deftly into the path of Joao Pedro. The Brazilian's first touch set him free of the Fulham defence and he lifted a fine finish over Leno.

The goal was an instant settler and enabled the Blues attackers to begin expressing themselves. Rogers and Palmer linked neatly throughout the opening period and fashioned chances. The former saw a powerful shot blocked from the edge of the area; the latter forced Bernd Leno into a near-post save with a powerful drive.

Fulham hit back

As the half progressed, Fulham started to wrestle momentum their way. King forced Sanchez into a smart reaction stop and, from the resulting corner, Cesar Palacios fired harmlessly over the crossbar.

The home side did manage to pull level midway through the opening 45 minutes, as a neat exchange of passes down the Blues' left flank enabled King to break into the penalty area and drill a shot beyond Sanchez. A reaction was needed from Alonso's side.

Right response

It quickly came. After seeing off a spell of Fulham pressure, we created several opportunities. Joao Pedro had the first, volleying a Palmer cross narrowly wide, before James tested Leno following a blocked Rogers shot.

Lavia was next to be thwarted by the Fulham goalkeeper, who reacted well to deny the Belgian midfielder from close range following a well-worked short corner by the Blues.

Deservedly, our efforts were eventually rewarded four minutes before the interval. After collecting possession on the half-turn, Palmer slipped a pass to Lacroix, who did excellently to trick his way beyond Jorge Cuenca and cross from the byline.

The ball raced across the Fulham penalty area into the path of fellow summer signing Rogers, who swept home a finish to score on his Blues debut.

There was time before the interval to push for a third, and the vibrant Palmer came close with a curled attempt from 20 yards that whistled narrowly wide. Yet, importantly, we went in ahead.

Maintaining momentum

Alonso will not have wanted his side to let up – the game felt in our hands – and Palmer picked up from where he left off in the opening period.

One sublime run, in which he skipped beyond multiple challenges, almost enabled the Blues' No.10 to guide a finish into the far post. But moments later, there was no mistake.

Our third goal started with Sanchez, who drove a pass forward toward Rogers. The England international flicked a header onto Joao Pedro, who bound into the Fulham half, waited for an overlap from Palmer and slipped in his fellow attacker.

Palmer assessed his options, which were minimal, and opted to guide a shot between the legs of Leno. The Fulham goalkeeper was beaten, and the Blues had a third goal.

Pegged back

Yet, as in the first half, Fulham pulled themselves back into the game by quickly reducing the deficit. The Blues didn't deal with a long ball forward and Timothy Castagne collected and fired a shot toward goal. Sanchez saved, but the rebound fell to Garcia, who reacted well to head home.

The game became less frenetic as it progressed, with Alonso's side gaining greater control. It meant chances were harder to come by, although Joao Pedro did fire over an attempt from distance.

With 25 minutes to play, the Blues manager turned to his bench. Pep Chavarria was introduced for his Blues debut for Hato, while Enzo Fernandez replaced Lavia.

Getting over the line

As the minutes ticked down, Fulham pushed hard for an equaliser. King came close again with another low effort that this time fizzed beyond the post, before a long ball forward presented Antonee Robinson with an opportunity to lob Sanchez. However, the USA international guided his attempt wide.

With eight minutes remaining, Alonso made two more changes. Geovany Quenda and Estevao Willian were brought on; Rogers and Palmer were replaced.

Sanchez had to stay alert in the closing stages, and the Blues goalkeeper reacted well to deny substitute Ryan Sessegnon at his near post.

Four minutes of additional time were added. Yet just before they were entered, we had the ball in the back of the net. Quenda had a shot saved by Leno and Joao Pedro turned home the rebound, but the Portuguese winger was offside in the build-up.

It mattered not, as Alonso's side saw out the contest to ensure we started the season with a victory and three points.

What comes next...

It's a quick turnaround for the Blues, as we return to action on Thursday evening in the Carabao Cup, with League One Luton Town visiting Stamford Bridge.

The teams

Chelsea: Sanchez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Gusto (Neto 76), James (c), Lavia (Fernandez 65), Hato (Chavarria 65); Palmer (Quenda 82), Rogers (Estevao 82), Joao Pedro
Chelsea substitutes: Penders, Barco, Gittens, Welbeck
Goalscorers: Joao Pedro 1, Rogers 41, Palmer 49
Booked: Colwill 5, Lavia 12, James 75

Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Cuenca, Bassey, Robinson (Muniz 82); King, Berge (Sessegnon 73); Iwobi; Bobb (Charles 67), Garcia; Palacios (Kevin 73)
Fulham substitutes: Lecomte, Tete, de Fougerolles, Reed, Smith Rowe
Goalscorers: King 23, Gonzalo Garcia 54
Booked: Bassey 76, Castagne 88