Palmer Shines as Chelsea Beat Fulham in Premier League Opener

Chelsea began their Premier League campaign with a 3-2 victory away at Fulham, giving new head coach Xabi Alonso a winning start to his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The standout performer was Cole Palmer, whose performance was widely praised as he appeared to already be "putting on a show" in what was only the opening fixture of the season.

The match represented Alonso's first competitive lineup selection since taking charge of the club, making the result an encouraging early signal for his tenure as he looks to establish his approach in English football.

However, the game was not without its problems for Chelsea. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was at the centre of several defensive lapses that nearly cost the team the victory, raising fresh questions about his role between the posts.

Former Manchester United defender and prominent football pundit Gary Neville was particularly critical of the goalkeeper's display, stating that Sanchez is currently "weighing down" Chelsea's overall performance.

Neville went further, publicly urging Alonso to consider replacing Sanchez following the costly errors witnessed against Fulham. His comments have added to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the goalkeeping position at Stamford Bridge.

The criticism places Alonso in an early dilemma as he settles into his new role. Balancing the promise shown by attacking players such as Palmer against defensive vulnerabilities will likely be a key challenge in the opening weeks of the season.

For now, though, the result offers a positive foundation. A win on the road, even one accompanied by defensive concerns, is generally seen as a solid platform to build from as a new manager begins shaping his squad's identity.

Whether Alonso acts on Neville's suggestion regarding Sanchez remains to be seen, but the debate is likely to continue as Chelsea's season progresses and further fixtures test the team's balance between attacking flair and defensive stability.