Chelsea began their Premier League campaign with a 3-2 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage, marking a winning start to Xabi Alonso’s reign as manager.

Joao Pedro opened the scoring for Chelsea inside the first minute, before Josh King equalised for Fulham in the 23rd minute.

Morgan Rogers put Chelsea back ahead on his debut in the 41st minute, and Cole Palmer extended the lead early in the second half in the 49th minute.

Gonzalo Garcia pulled a goal back for Fulham in the 54th minute, but the hosts were unable to find a leveller as Chelsea held on for the win.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was at fault for Fulham’s first goal and also parried a shot into the path of Garcia for the second, with uncertain distribution troubling Chelsea through parts of the match.

Speaking after the match, Alonso kept his response brief and measured: “The first goal we can do better than that. But it’s a process, it’s day 1.”

The match marked Alonso’s first competitive fixture in charge of Chelsea, following his move to English football after a managerial career largely built on the continent.

Morgan Rogers’ goal on debut gave Chelsea fans an early glimpse of a new attacking option, while Cole Palmer’s finish continued his run of involvement in the team’s goals this season.

The result gives Chelsea a winning start to their league campaign, though the defensive uncertainty around Sanchez is likely to draw scrutiny as the season progresses.

Fulham, despite the loss, showed resilience with their second-half fightback, and will look to build on that response in their next fixture.

The West London derby has historically produced tightly contested matches between the two clubs, and this latest meeting added to that competitive history with five goals across the 90 minutes.

Chelsea’s front three, refreshed under Alonso’s early tactical setup, looked lively for large stretches of the match, even as questions remained over the balance between attack and defence.

Photo by Nate Loper, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has said Rishabh Pant is set to bat on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Pant retired hurt on day one after being struck on the left wrist by a short delivery from Lahiru Kumara in the 58th over of India’s innings.

“Rishabh Pant will be fine to bat tomorrow,” Kotak said after play concluded, easing concerns over the wicketkeeper-batter’s availability.

Under ICC Test match rules, a batter who retires hurt due to injury can return to the crease later in the same innings, subject to medical clearance.

India closed day one at 300 for 5, built around a century from Devdutt Padikkal, his second in as many Tests, and a 120-run partnership with captain Shubman Gill.

Overnight batters Dhruv Jurel and debutant Saransh Jain are set to resume India’s innings when play begins at 10 AM IST, with India aiming to push their total well past 350.

Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando finished day one with figures of 3 for 46 and is expected to lead the bowling attack again as play resumes on day two.

India go into the day aiming to push their first-innings total well past 350, having already secured a 1-0 series lead following their 165-run win in the first Test at Galle.

Pant retired hurt on 3 not out after being struck on the left wrist by a short delivery from Lahiru Kumara in the 58th over of India’s innings.

Under ICC Test match rules, a batter who retires hurt due to injury is permitted to return later in the same innings, subject to medical clearance.

India closed day one at 300 for 5, built around a century from Devdutt Padikkal, his second in as many Tests, and a 120-run partnership with captain Shubman Gill.

Photo by Bollywood Hungama, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

India closed the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at 300 for 5, on the back of a century from Devdutt Padikkal.

Padikkal scored 117 off 193 balls, his second century in a row, before being dismissed by Keshara Nuwantha shortly before the second new ball.

Captain Shubman Gill added 50 off 108 balls before falling to a loose cut off Prabath Jayasuriya right on the stroke of tea.

Earlier, India had lost both openers cheaply, with KL Rahul out for 18 and Yashasvi Jaiswal for 45, before Gill and Padikkal steadied the innings.

Rishabh Pant retired hurt after being struck on the wrist, while Ravindra Jadeja was bowled late in the day while also managing some discomfort of his own.

At the close, Dhruv Jurel was unbeaten on 7 alongside debutant Saransh Jain on 4, with India well placed heading into day two of the Colombo Test.

Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 46, while Prabath Jayasuriya accounted for both Rahul and Gill.

India go into day two with a 1-0 series lead after their 165-run win in the first Test at Galle, needing a positive result in Colombo to seal the series.

Padikkal’s century, his second in as many Tests, came after he survived being dropped twice early in his innings, on 0 and again on 1.

Gill and Padikkal put on a vital 120-run third-wicket partnership that repaired India’s innings after early setbacks.

Rishabh Pant retired hurt after being struck on the wrist by a short ball from Lahiru Kumara, while Ravindra Jadeja was bowled leaving the ball late in the day while also managing discomfort in his forearm.

At stumps, Dhruv Jurel was unbeaten on 7 and debutant Saransh Jain on 4, with India still needing to bat out the tail on day two.

Photo by Bollywood Hungama, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0