Morgan Rogers nets on Chelsea debut as Blues edge Fulham; Donyell Malen treble powers Roma to 4-0 win

Morgan Rogers scored on his Chelsea debut as the Blues beat Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage in a Premier League match on Monday, August 24, 2026, and Donyell Malen hit a hat-trick as Roma swept aside Fiorentina 4-0 in Serie A.

In an entertaining London derby, Chelsea took the win at Craven Cottage while Fulham pushed for a late equaliser; the result was a disappointment for Fulham coach Álvaro Arbeloa. The Premier League fixture featured an early goal, a flurry of strikes around halftime, and a second-half response from the hosts that left the visitors holding on for three points.

João Pedro put Chelsea ahead after just 32 seconds, Josh King levelled midway through the first half, and Rogers restored the visitors' lead four minutes before halftime. Cole Palmer extended Chelsea's advantage to 3-1 four minutes into the second period, Gonzalo García reduced the deficit with a close-range header five minutes later, and Fulham pressed late without finding an equaliser.

The strike that restored Chelsea's lead came from club record signing Morgan Rogers, who scored on his debut for the club. The goal was part of a 3-2 victory that featured quick exchanges and left Chelsea with the win at Craven Cottage.

Roma's Serie A start was dominated by Donyell Malen, who converted three passes from Paolo Dybala to score in the 27th, 52nd and 60th minutes. Substitute Niccolò Pisilli completed the rout four minutes from time to round out a 4-0 victory over Fiorentina.

Second-half substitute Davide Frattesi scored five minutes into his Lazio debut to give the capital club a 1-0 win at Bologna, finishing from Boulaye Dia's superb backheeled pass. The Bologna game featured few chances and eight yellow cards, five in the first half, and the win was a relief for new coach Gennaro Gattuso after his side's shock Italian Cup exit at the hands of Serie B club Mantova a week earlier.

In Spain, promoted sides Malaga and Deportivo A Coruna drew 1-1 as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored for the second consecutive game, taking a superb throughball from Luismi Cruz and rounding a static goalkeeper to open the scoring after 21 minutes. Chupete equalised from the penalty spot 13 minutes later when Rafita Garrido was brought down by Lucas Noubi. Earlier, Osasuna and Levante played out a 0-0 draw, Levante earning their first point of the season after an opening-weekend defeat by Espanyol.

In the German Cup, Wolfsburg required penalties to avoid a shock exit at the hands of fourth-tier Altglienicke, coming from behind three times to make it 3-3 after extra time and then scraping through 6-5 on penalties. Schalke, tied 2-2 with Hallescher after 90 minutes, scored three times in extra time to progress to the second round; Cologne beat Würzburger Kickers thanks to a brace from Isak Johannesson and Hamburg defeated Verl 3-0.

The weekend left Roma as one of nine clubs with full points after the Serie A opening weekend and handed Xabi Alonso a perfect Premier League opening as Chelsea's new coach.