Morgan Rogers scores on Chelsea debut as Blues beat Fulham; Roma hammers Fiorentina in Serie A

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring their second goal in August 24, 2026 | Photo Credit: Reuters

Donyell Malen's hat-trick got Roma off to a blistering Serie A start in a 4-0 win over Fiorentina, and Chelsea delivered a perfect Premier League opening for new coach Xabi Alonso on Monday (August 24, 2026).

Chelsea beat Fulham 3-2 with the aid of a strike from club record signing Morgan Rogers.

Both La Liga games were tied; Malaga and Deportivo A Coruna drew 1-1 and Levante and Osasuna ended goalless.

Malen converted three passes from Paolo Dybala to score in the 27th, 52nd and 60th minutes and make Roma one of nine clubs with full points after the Serie A opening weekend. Substitute Niccolò Pisilli completed the rout four minutes from time.

Second half substitute Davide Frattesi scored five minutes into his Lazio debut to give the capital club a 1-0 win at Bologna.

In a game that featured few chances and eight yellow cards, five in the first half, Frattesi's cool finish from Boulaye Dia's superb backheeled pass, ensured a winning start for new Lazio coach Gennaro Gattuso.

The win was a relief for Gattuso, coming a week after his side's shock Italian Cup exit at the hands of Serie B club Mantova.

In an entertaining London derby, Brazilian João Pedro put Chelsea ahead in just 32 seconds, only for Josh King to level midway through the first half. Rogers restored Chelsea's lead four minutes from halftime and the impressive Cole Palmer made it 3-1 four minutes into the second period.

Gonzalo García cut the deficit five minutes later with a close-range header, and although Fulham poured forward in search of an equalizer it ended 3-2 to the visitor at Craven Cottage.

The result marked a satisfying start for Alonso but was a disappointment for his former Spain teammate Álvaro Arbeloa in the Fulham dugout.

In Spain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored for the second consecutive game but it was not enough to give Deportivo A Coruna all three points against Malaga in a contest between promoted sides.

Aubameyang, who got his name on the scoresheet in last week's 1-1 draw against Elche, took a superb throughball from Luismi Cruz and skipped round a static goalkeeper to put the home side ahead after 21 minutes.