Chelsea’s clash with Fulham will be a crucial one tonight as the Blues look to build on their impressive record on the Premier League’s opening weekend.
The team from the blue half of London have the second-best opening-day win record in Premier League history, with 30 victories from their previous opening fixtures. Only Manchester United have more, with 32 wins, just two ahead of the Blues.
However, Chelsea’s recent record on the opening weekend has been (slightly) less impressive. Last season, they were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace, while their last opening-day victory came in the 2022/23 season, when a Jorginho penalty secured a 1-0 win away at Everton.
After failing to win their opener in each of the last three seasons, Xabi Alonso will be eager to put an end to that run and get Chelsea’s season off to the perfect start. A victory at Fulham would not only give the Blues three points but also move them to within one opening-day win of Manchester United’s record.
Chelsea's 34-season Premier League opening-day record boasts an impressive 58.8% win rate, with 20 victories, eight draws and just six defeats.
That consistency has been built across several different eras, with experienced managers such as José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti overseeing strong starts to the campaign. Mourinho's sides, in particular, helped establish Chelsea as one of the Premier League's most consistent opening-day performers, while Ancelotti began his Chelsea tenure with a 2-1 victory over Hull City in 2009.
Now, that record will be put to the test once again under Xabi Alonso, with Chelsea hoping the preparation and experience within the squad can continue a trend that has been established across more than three decades of Premier League football.
Trip down memory lane
Now, lovers of statistics may already know the answers, or at least have a good guess, but can you name the Chelsea player with the most Premier League opening-day appearances, and the one who has scored the most goals on matchday one?
There is little surprise to see Chelsea's legendary captain sitting at the top of the appearances list. John Terry made himself available year after year, whether fit, injured or carrying a knock, and featured in 14 opening-day fixtures, one ahead of Super Frank Lampard on 13.
The changing nature of the squad means there is now a significant gap between Chelsea's modern stars and those club legends. Reece James is the current player with the most opening-day appearances, having featured in five, and will look to add to that tally against Fulham.
When it comes to goals, however, Lampard shares top spot with Didier Drogba, with both Chelsea legends finding the net six times on the opening day. Who can add themselves onto the list comes the final whistle at Craven Cottage.
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