Perhaps there will come a time when Xabi Alonso has taught Chelsea how to master the art of game management. This is a team still to learn how to grind. Equally it is a team capable of hurting anyone, and although Alonso’s first outing as Chelsea’s manager featured plenty of terrible defending it also provided confirmation that life will never be dull with a front three of Cole Palmer, João Pedro and Morgan Rogers.

No wonder Maxence Lacroix wanted to join in the fun. The £52m centre‑back marked his debut with a thrilling assist, storming forward to make Rogers’s first goal since his £117m move from Aston Villa. João Pedro was no less effective as the No 9, while the biggest positive for Alonso had to be Palmer looking rested, dangerous and determined to prove a point after his injury woes last season led to him being left out of England’s World Cup squad.

Keep playing this well and Thomas Tuchel will surely name Palmer alongside Rogers for the Nations League games next month. Chelsea’s two No 10s both got to do the “ice cold” celebration and their combinations with João Pedro should have been enough to ensure this 3-2 win against Fulham was less stressful.

There were reminders that Chelsea have much to improve if they want to challenge for the title. Their defending left much to be desired, even with the towering Lacroix in the middle of the back three, and Robert Sánchez’s feeble attempt to stop Josh King from scoring Fulham’s first goal bolsters the argument that Chelsea need a new No 1.

Alonso refused to single out Sánchez. The Spaniard said it was down to the team to defend better as a collective, but he also argued that his players delivered a mature performance. It was the Premier League at its best – wild, relentless, moments of high class followed by inexplicable mistakes – and despite losing Fulham could feel there is life after Marco Silva.

Alvaro Arbeloa, whose friendship with Alonso goes back almost two decades, saw intensity and quality from Fulham. The 19-year-old King sparkled as the No 10. Oscar Bobb was bright on the right and it was easy to see why Arbeloa has brought César Palacios and Gonzalo García with him from Madrid. Palacios offered smooth touches in midfield and Arebloa knew it was important for García to score on his debut in attack.

Yet while Fulham have lowered the age of their squad they were let down by naive defending. Chelsea’s first goal, scored after 31 seconds, was a catastrophe. A long ball floated through the middle and with Jorge Cuenca out of position in central defence Palmer exacted punishment with a flick to release João Pedro, who built on his scorching pre-season form by dinking a finish over Bernd Leno.

It is hard to judge Arbeloa’s level given his managerial experience is limited to stepping in at Madrid after Alonso’s firing last season. Fulham played their part in a pulsating first half, though, and were level when King’s shot from a tight angle exposed Sánchez’s positioning.

Chelsea were without Moisés Caicedo in midfield, where there was a rare start for Roméo Lavia alongside Reece James, and they lacked control before half-time. Marco Palestra was also unable to make his debut because of a minor knock. Malo Gusto and Jorrel Hato seemed cautious picks as the wing-backs in the 3-4-2-1 system Alonso used when winning the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024.

It is a work in progress. Composure eluded Chelsea, typified by Levi Colwill and Lavia picking up bookings inside the first 12 minutes. Fulham had chances to lead but Josh Acheampong denied Garceia.

Chelsea were a handful at the other end. Lavia threatened and João Pedro volleyed wide from a Palmer cross. Rogers pressed, harried and got his goal. Palmer started the move, finding the overlapping Lacroix, who beat a weak challenge and cut the ball back for Rogers to score.

Fulham took a lot of risks on and off the ball. They were too open at times and it was 3-1 at the start of the second half. João Pedro beat a faulty offside and found Palmer, who deceived Leno by giving the goalkeeper the eyes before nutmegging him with a clever finish.

That should have enough but Fulham had hope when Colwill misjudged a long ball, Sánchez spilled Timothy Castagne’s shot and García headed in the rebound.

Seeking order, Alonso made changes. A cramping Lavia made way for Enzo Fernández, playing the pantomime villain after his role in England’s demise at the World Cup. Every Fernández touch was booed, although with Manchester City circling the bigger issue is whether the Argentina midfielder will play for Chelsea again.

Everything will be clearer soon. Fulham had three chances to equalise but could not find the finish. Alonso has started well but there is more to come.