Premier League Gameweek 1
Fulham 2 - 3 FT Chelsea
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Joao Pedro (C. Palmer) 1'
L. Colwill 5'
R. Lavia 12'
23' J. King (T. Castagne)
M. Rogers (M. Lacroix) 41'
HT
C. Palmer (Joao Pedro) 49'
54' G. Garcia
↓ R. Lavia ↑E. Fernandez 65'
↓ J. Hato ↑P. Chavarria 65'
67' ↓ O. Bobb ↑S. Charles
73' ↓ S. Berge ↑R. Sessegnon
73' ↓ C. Palacios ↑Kevin
R. James 75'
76' C. Bassey
↓ M. Gusto ↑P. Neto 76'
82' ↓ A. Robinson ↑Rodrigo Muniz
↓ M. Rogers ↑G. Quenda 82'
↓ C. Palmer ↑Estevao 83'
88' T. Castagne
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Fulham
Goalkeepers
Bernd Leno 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Timothy Castagne 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
1
Assists
31%
Pass Acc
Calvin Bassey 
MAGNET
85
Activity
85
Activity
80
Passes
5
Duels
Jorge Cuenca
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
71%
Pass Acc
Antonee Robinson 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Midfielders
Sander Berge
MAGNET
66
Activity
66
Activity
61
Passes
5
Duels
Alex Iwobi
MAGNET
90
Activity
90
Activity
86
Passes
4
Duels
Oscar Bobb
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
67
Entry
Joshua King 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.2
Rating
César Palacios
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Forwards
Gonzalo García 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
BENCH
Benjamin Lecomte 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Kenny Tete
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luc De Fougerolles
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shea Charles
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
26
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ryan Sessegnon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Emile Smith Rowe
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Harrison Reed
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kevin Macedo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rodrigo Muniz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Chelsea
Goalkeepers
Robert Sánchez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Joshua Acheampong 
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
1
Interceptions
2
Blocks
Maxence Lacroix
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
1
Blocks
Levi Colwill
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Malo Gusto
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
Reece James
SWEEPER
4
Cleanups
4
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
2
Blocks
Romeo Lavia
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Jorrel Hato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Forwards
Cole Palmer
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
28%
Pass Acc
Morgan Rogers
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
João Pedro
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.9
Rating
BENCH
Mike Penders
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Pep Chavarría
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Enzo Fernández
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Valentín Barco
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Geovany Quenda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Estêvão
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pedro Neto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Danny Welbeck
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/07/2026 | Fulham | 2 - 1 | Chelsea | Premier League | Craven Cottage |
| 08/30/2025 | Chelsea | 2 - 0 | Fulham | Premier League | Stamford Bridge |
| 04/20/2025 | Fulham | 1 - 2 | Chelsea | Premier League | Craven Cottage |
| 12/26/2024 | Chelsea | 1 - 2 | Fulham | Premier League | Stamford Bridge |
| 01/13/2024 | Chelsea | 1 - 0 | Fulham | Premier League | Stamford Bridge |
| 10/02/2023 | Fulham | 0 - 2 | Chelsea | Premier League | Craven Cottage |
| 07/30/2023 | Chelsea | 2 - 0 | Fulham | Premier League - Summer Series | FedEx Field |
| 02/03/2023 | Chelsea | 0 - 0 | Fulham | Premier League | Stamford Bridge |
| 01/12/2023 | Fulham | 2 - 1 | Chelsea | Premier League | Craven Cottage |
| 05/01/2021 | Chelsea | 2 - 0 | Fulham | Premier League | Stamford Bridge |
Fulham Win
Chelsea Win
Draw
League Standings
League Standings
P: 5 GD: +8
P: 5 GD: +4
P: 5 GD: +11
P: 5 GD: +6
P: 5 GD: +4
P: 5 GD: +3
P: 5 GD: +3
P: 5 GD: +2
P: 5 GD: 0
P: 5 GD: -2
P: 5 GD: -4
P: 5 GD: 0
P: 5 GD: -1
P: 5 GD: -4
P: 5 GD: -5
P: 5 GD: -5
P: 5 GD: -2
P: 5 GD: -9
P: 5 GD: -3
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Fulham
Chelsea
Fulham
Chelsea
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
A West London Shootout Ends in Blue Victory
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 68/100. Chelsea's ruthless transitions proved too much for a possession-heavy Fulham in a frantic opening day clash.
Early Shocks and Equalizers
The Intensity was off the charts from the very first minute at Craven Cottage. Chelsea caught the hosts cold when Cole Palmer fed Joao Pedro for a lightning-fast opener. Despite the shock, Fulham didn't fold. They dominated possession, pinning the Blues back, and soon found their reward. T. Castagne whipped a dangerous ball into the box, allowing J. King to level the score at 1-1. The Balance of the match shifted completely as the home side turned up the heat, eager to assert their dominance in this opening fixture.
The Blue Blitz
The game broke wide open during a blistering 13-minute spell right across halftime. Just before the break, M. Lacroix turned provider for M. Rogers to edge the visitors back in front. The Stakes rose rapidly, and Chelsea struck the decisive blow just after the restart. Joao Pedro returned the earlier favour, setting up Palmer to make it 3-1. That goal flurry forced Fulham into desperate measures. A barrage of 29 combined shots turned this match into an absolute shooting gallery, leaving both defensive lines scrambling to keep pace with the attackers.
Holding On Under Pressure
The hosts absolutely refused to surrender. G. Garcia clawed a goal back in the 54th minute, injecting massive tension into the final half-hour. Fulham pushed relentlessly, creating immense set-piece pressure with a total of 10 corners. Yet, Chelsea's defensive resolve held firm against the late onslaught. The low Upset Factor reflects a match where the visitors' attacking quality ultimately validated their pre-match favourite status. This chaotic 3-2 away win gives Chelsea perfect momentum, while Fulham must figure out how their 61 percent possession yielded zero points.
Key Questions
What made Cole Palmer the Man of the Match?
Palmer was the offensive orchestrator, securing a brilliant goal and an assist while providing three key passes to tear through Fulham's defensive block.
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
A high-tempo clash featuring 29 total shots, early breakthroughs, and relentless attacking transitions from both sides fueled this non-stop scoring frenzy.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
West London Pride on the Line
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 29/100. Opening day rust meets derby day intensity in a clash that demands bragging rights, even if the seasonal pressure is miles away.
The Setup
The Premier League returns on August 24, 2026, as Fulham host Chelsea at Craven Cottage. Matchday one always brings a unique energy. With a low Stakes factor attached to the season opener, teams are still finding their match fitness. However, a strong Balance rating suggests this West London derby will be far from a walkover for the visitors. Chelsea enter as clear favourites, but a modest Stars metric implies we might not see a highlight-reel blowout. Expect a grinding, tactical affair while opening day Form remains an absolute mystery.
Key Battle
This match hinges on Fulham's defensive organisation against Chelsea's dynamic midfield. M. Caicedo and E. Fernández will look to dictate the tempo from the centre of the park. If they dominate possession and feed C. Palmer in dangerous areas, the home side's backline will face a relentless siege. The hosts must disrupt that supply line immediately to stand any chance of securing points.
Our Prediction
Chelsea take the spoils with a scrappy 1-0 win. The visitors will command the ball, probe patiently, and eventually find a second-half breakthrough through sheer midfield quality, leaving the hosts frustrated but not disgraced.