Premier League – João Pedro scores as Chelsea beat Fulham 3-2

In the opening round of the 2026/27 Premier League season, a West London derby took place, with Chelsea, playing at Craven Cottage, defeating Fulham 3-2 thanks to goals from João Pedro, Morgan Rodgers, and Palmer.

Early in the match, Fulham's attack was cleared, Palmer received the ball and passed it diagonally to João Pedro, who then chipped the ball into the net from inside the box, giving Chelsea a 1-0 lead. In the 4th minute, Morgan Rodgers received a pass from Palmer and took a long-range shot from the edge of the box, but the ball was blocked by an opposing player.

In the 5th minute, Colwell fouled Oscar Bob while trying to regain possession and was shown a yellow card by the referee. In the 8th minute, Chelsea continued their counter-attack. Morgan Rodgers passed the ball to Palmer, who broke into the penalty area and shot, but the ball was intercepted by Fulham goalkeeper Leno.

In the 12th minute, Fulham defender Calvin Bessie was brought down by Lavia while dribbling forward, and the referee showed Lavia a yellow card. In the 20th minute, Fulham launched an attack, with Sandberg passing the ball to Josh King outside the penalty area, who took a long-range shot, but the ball was saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

In the 23rd minute, Chelsea made a mistake, Castagne passed the ball across, and Josh King followed up and fired a shot into the net, helping Fulham equalize 1-1. In the 27th minute, Castagne chipped the ball into the penalty area, and Palacios' shot was blocked.

In the 33rd minute, Morgan Rodgers received a pass from João Pedro and took a long-range shot from the edge of the penalty area, but the ball was cleared by an opposing player. In the 41st minute, Lacroix passed the ball back from the penalty area, and the unmarked Morgan Rodgers slotted it home, giving Chelsea a 2-1 lead over Fulham again.

In the 44th minute, Palmer received a pass from Morgan Rodgers outside the penalty area and took a long-range shot, but it went wide.

In the 48th minute of the second half, Lavia launched an attack, and Palmer received the ball and broke through the defense before shooting, but the ball went wide of the goal. In the 49th minute, João Pedro played a through ball from the penalty area, and Palmer followed up with a low shot that found the back of the net, extending Chelsea's lead to 3-1.

In the 55th minute, Colwell made a mistake, Castagne gained possession and fired a shot, but it was saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Gonzalo Garcia then headed the ball into the net, making the score 2-3 for Fulham. In the 63rd minute, João Pedro received a pass from Morgan Rodgers and took a long-range shot, but the ball went over the goal.

In the 72nd minute, Fulham created an attacking opportunity. Josh King received the ball outside the penalty area and took a long-range shot, but the ball went wide of the post. In the 84th minute, Jorge Cuenca passed the ball to Sessegnon, who then shot, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made the save.

In stoppage time of the second half, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez launched a long pass, Giovanni Kunda followed up with a shot that was saved by Fulham goalkeeper Leno. João Pedro then scored on the rebound. However, Giovanni Kunda was offside earlier, so the goal was disallowed.

Chelsea ultimately defeated Fulham 3-2 away from home.

Image source: Internet