New-look Chelsea deliver for Xabi Alonso - but familiar issue rears its head in Fulham win

Chelsea provided a tantalising glimpse of their potential as Xabi Alonso’s new-look Blues produced a sensational attacking performance. Record buy Morgan Rogers scored on his debut and Chelsea looked the real deal going forward with fellow attackers Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer also on target.

But two howlers from Chelsea's error-prone keeper Robert Sanchez let Fulham back into the contest and it is incredible how a club can spend so much money and yet still not address their most obvious weakness.

Chelsea may yet be the closest challengers to Arsenal’s crown but until they sort themselves out at the back their forwards will have to carry on working overtime.

The sense of excitement around Xabi Alonso’s new-look Chelsea has completely overshadowed the nerves surrounding Alvaro Arbeloa’s reign at Fulham.

Chelsea have broken the bank again with another raft of big-money deals - including British record signing Morgan Rogers for £117m - and brought in a big-name manager.

By comparison, Fulham equalled their record signing with a £34m move for Gonzalo Garcia who followed Arbeloa from Real Madrid. But Arbeloa feels like a gamble from six months in charge at Real Madrid to succeeding Marco Silva’s five-year reign at Craven Cottage.

The gap between the two clubs is huge - and the last thing Chelsea needed was a head start. But that is exactly what they got. The Blues were ahead after just 31 seconds. Fulham defender Jorge Cuenca’s clearance was headed back by Maxence Lacroix and Cole Palmer provided the clever flick-on.

Joao Pedro went clean through, kept his composure brilliantly and then lifted the ball over Fulham keeper Bernd Leno and into the empty net. Even the Chelsea fans in the away end could hardly believe it.

Fulham fans were nervous and you could sense the tension in the air - together with a smattering of boos - when Chelsea threatened to expose the home side’s defensive frailties. Arbeloa’s men very much look like a work in progress at the back.

Chelsea had a let-off when Levi Colwill only got a booking for cynically scything down Oscar Bobb but it did serve to whip up the home fans. This wonderful old stadium creates such a great atmosphere.

It was Fulham teenager Josh King who fed off the energy. King’s low shot beat Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez at his near post to bring Fulham level after 23 minutes.

It was a horrible moment for the Chelsea keeper. It was an absolute howler. It is incredible that, despite spending so much money, Chelsea have stuck with an error-prone keeper who has let them down on so many occasions.

Chelsea got themselves back in front before the break when two big money buys combined. Chelsea’s £52m defender Lacroix pushed forward, his low cross found Rogers and the record buy drilled home. What an introduction.

Chelsea gave themselves a two-goal cushion after the break. Sanchez’s long clearance was flicked on by Rogers, Joao Pedro played in Palmer and the Chelsea forward brilliantly nutmegged Leno at his near post.