Three things we learned from Chelsea win as Xabi Alonso facing familiar problem

If this was anything to go by, Chelsea will be a thrilling watch this season.Chelsea become record-breakersIt was some start that they made. As one of the debutants Maxence Lacroix headed the ball clear and it was picked up by Palmer, the Englishman pirouetted, put Joao Pedro through, and the Brazilian showed such sharpness in dinking the ball over Bernd Leno and into the net.Chelsea had produced a lead after only 31 seconds of the match, and in doing so had broken a Premier League record.It was the earliest goal a team had ever scored in their opening game of a Premier League season and perhaps indicated it could be an exhilarating and routine win for Chelsea on the Thames. The former, it was. The latter, not so much.Quick off the mark: Joao PedroGettySanchez under scrutiny amid unconvincing defensive performanceWhile Lacroix produced some fine one-on-one defending and Josh Acheampong made a fair few crucial last-ditch interceptions, there was no denying Chelsea’s defending was lacking at Craven Cottage.Levi Colwill was fortunate that Lacroix was covering him for an early challenge such that when he lost control and overstretched, the foul was punished with a yellow rather than red.Yet Chelsea were punished more sternly when Josh King’s effort from range beat goalkeeper Robert Sanchez at his near post, the effort far from good enough to deserve a goal but Sanchez unable to keep it out.Tough day at the office: Robert SanchezAFP/GettyFulham rained shots on the Chelsea goal in a manic game where the visitors were never able to make their superior quality show enough to get out of sight of their hosts. And Sanchez was suspect again for Fulham’s second goal.Timothy Castagne’s shot was parried by Sanchez when the goalkeeper ought to have pushed it wide. Instead, right into the path of Gonzalo Garcia, who nodded in to half Chelsea’s lead so soon after they had doubled it. Debutants all impressAlonso’s winning start came courtesy of his front three clicking — a front three that includes Chelsea’s record signing, £117million man Rogers.Rogers was quiet initially — allowing Palmer and Joao Pedro to combine, instead, for that immediate opener — but he grew into his Chelsea debut and was on the score sheet when he arrived late to slam home.Pick of the bunch: Morgan Rogers enjoyed a stellar debutAFP/GettyThe man who assisted his goal? Lacroix, up from the back, dummying one way then shimmying the other, getting to the byline and crossing for Rogers. How satisfying that must have been for so many in decision-making roles at Chelsea.Read MoreOff the bench, Pep Chavarria was lively at left wing-back when he replaced Jorrel Hato. And Geovany Quenda, the teenaged winger, was not on the pitch for long enough to have a telling impact but showed his pace and had a half-chance from an opening later flagged offside. He was undeniably bright.Alonso and Chelsea will not need to watch the match back before already being fully aware there is work to do. But there was always going to be at this stage. The result was the most important thing, and they took care of it.