The Premier League season opened with a busy first weekend and several individual displays immediately demanding attention. Chelsea’s refreshed attack helped shape the closing stages of the round, while a number of other clubs also produced performances that stood out for different reasons.

Everton’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Merseyside was not straightforward early on. The visitors started brightly, but poor finishing and Jordan Pickford kept them at bay. Pickford’s best moment came with a sharp save to deny Eddie Nketiah, and his contribution was among the best goalkeeping efforts of the weekend. Only Newcastle United debutant Lukáš Horniček prevented more goals on the opening weekend.

Brighton & Hove Albion also enjoyed a dominant afternoon, with Maxim De Cuyper pushed into a more advanced role in the demolition of Aston Villa. His energy caused constant problems, and he was directly involved in the move that led to Victor Lindelöf’s own goal before adding another by attacking the box with real purpose. That return earned him the Fantasy Premier League Player of the Week award and a 17-point haul.

There was also a memorable debut for Nobel Mendy, who marked his first appearance for Hull City by scoring against Manchester United. The defender helped his side make the most of set-pieces, and he finished the match with 12 clearances as Hull protected their two-goal cushion.

At Manchester City, Josko Gvardiol made the difference against Bournemouth after an opening spell in which City’s fluidity caused problems. He timed his run perfectly to meet Rayan Cherki’s pass and finish calmly beyond Đorđe Petrović, even if the effort was initially flagged offside.

Brentford had strong contributions from Keane Lewis-Potter and Mamadou Sangaré in their win over Tottenham Hotspur. Lewis-Potter struck early, while Sangaré’s debut showed exactly why the Bees committed a club-record fee for him. He linked play effectively, assisted the opener and was involved again for Brentford’s third.

Newcastle United also had reason to be encouraged by Yoane Wissa, whose all-round work helped drive their display against Liverpool. He was central to the transition that led to Joe Willock’s go-ahead goal after Cody Gakpo had drawn Liverpool level.

Chelsea’s own attacking momentum was reflected by Cole Palmer and João Pedro. Palmer looked sharp after a disrupted previous campaign, while João Pedro scored in under 30 seconds and later returned the favour for Palmer. He now appears to be the league’s strongest centre forward outside Erling Haaland.

Arsenal’s opening-night win over Coventry City also featured a debutant contribution, rounding off a weekend in which several new and familiar faces made a strong first impression.

Chelsea’s Premier League opener offered a clear sign of what could make this season different, but it also exposed familiar risks. Under Alonso, the visitors produced a 3-2 win at Craven Cottage, and the central figure was Cole Palmer, who delivered the kind of performance Chelsea had been waiting for.

Palmer had a hand in all three of Chelsea’s open-play goals. Before the match, there was already a sense of confidence around him, and he justified it quickly by slipping João Pedro through for the opening goal after just 31 seconds. That strike set the tone for what was to follow, with Palmer repeatedly finding space, moving with ease and creating problems that Fulham struggled to contain.

The 24-year-old created three chances, misplaced only four passes and added a fine goal of his own to make it 3-1 in the 49th minute. For much of the evening, he looked sharper and freer than he had for a long time, helped by an off-season without the usual demands. His display showed both individual quality and how much Chelsea can gain when he is at full pace.

Alonso’s flexible 3-4-2-1 gave Palmer the freedom to drift, combine and dictate. The structure around him also worked in moments, especially for Chelsea’s second goal, when Maxence Lacroix pushed forward into a role few would have expected and laid the ball back for Morgan Rogers to score into an empty net. It summed up Alonso’s idea of movement, rotation and unpredictability.

Yet the defensive side of Chelsea’s performance was far less convincing. Levi Colwill escaped a red card early on, while Fulham were allowed back into the match before Robert Sánchez came under heavy scrutiny for a series of unconvincing actions, including both goals he might have done more to stop. The ending was made worse when Palmer went off holding his knee, leaving Alonso with a concern despite the opening-day victory.

Chelsea’s long-standing edge over Fulham remains clear on paper as the two sides prepare for their 2026/27 Premier League opener. Yet the most recent campaign showed how narrow the margin has become between the neighbours.

Last season ended with both clubs level on points, leaving Chelsea ahead only on goal difference. The split was fine enough that each team won its own home fixture, underlining how little separated them over the course of the league season.

Fulham also had one small statistical advantage in the overall defensive record. They conceded one fewer goal across the campaign, a detail that adds another layer to a fixture that has historically leaned Chelsea’s way but was much more even last time out.

That context gives the opening match of 2026/27 added relevance. Chelsea may still carry the stronger record in the rivalry, but the previous season suggested Fulham are closer than the historical trend would imply. With both clubs having taken a home win apiece and finished tied on points, there is little reason to expect a one-sided contest on current evidence.

The numbers from last season point to a matchup defined by fine margins rather than a clear hierarchy. Chelsea’s edge came down to goal difference, while Fulham’s slightly better defensive return offers a reminder that the balance between these sides has shifted considerably from the old pattern of dominance.