Chelsea explored Berge movepublished at 18:20 BST 7 September
18:20 BST 7 September
Chelsea showed late interest in Fulham's Sander Berge as they attempted to strengthen their midfield options before Enzo Fernandez's departure.
The Blues intended to sign a central midfielder in the closing days of the summer transfer window as they prepared for Fernandez to join Manchester City.
However, Chelsea's search ended in disappointment as they sold Fernandez for £125m without signing a replacement.
It is understood Norway international Berge was among the options explored by Chelsea during the final stages of the window, though they did not make a formal bid and Fulham considered the 28-year-old not for sale.
Since his arrival from Burnley in 2023, Berge has become a key player for the Cottagers, making 78 appearances.
Tom: Who would have thought that replacing Premier League experience with novices on and off the pitch would backfire almost immediately? If we don't win before the international break, then Alvaro Arbeloa will have to go.
Brian: We knew it would be a massive change from Marco Silva as the majority of players were/are his and that losing Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez would change the dynamics. I can see what Alvaro is trying to achieve but it may take longer than some in the home crowd are prepared to accept. I'm not worried, there is too much quality in the squad, but we know football management is cursed, so let's see how it pans out.
Simon: Arbeloa's system can't defend but the board knew this when taking the gamble with him and the Real Madrid academy. This is a strategic error to chase player profits over Premier League stability. We've leaked seven goals in three league games. You can't stay in this division with that defence.
Russ: The managerial appointment was always going to be high risk but out of our supporters' hands. The manner in which we concede goals has to be a concern and with games against Liverpool and Manchester United coming up, this should have been at least our first point. Early days, but what I saw at Craven Cottage on Saturday is concerning.
Crystal Palace fans
Gary: It was great to get the win, but we are too open at the back and playing too high up the pitch. Offensively, we look good. The forward players need to be more clinical. We have Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta to come back, so I'm sure they will make the difference if they can get their heads right. I'm pleased for Tyrick Mitchell getting his first double. We have three home games now - games we should win. Hopefully, a good start in the cups and three points against Ipswich.
Steve: An entertaining game full of defensive frailties on both sides. One positive is that Palace scored three goals, but there is still cause for concern. Chris Richards was often caught out of position and Adam Wharton lacked control and dynamism. The team perhaps still needs time to gel, but a much-needed win is very welcome.
Derek: This win was huge, not only for the team and the new manager, but so important for the fans. Everyone's morale will be reinvigorated by this result. Must push on with ground improvements.
Andy: It was good to get the win in a competitive game. There are plenty of positives, one being the presence of Quinten Timber and the improved attacking intent of Tyrick Mitchell. Our defending appears chaotic, but this could be part of the new bonding process and could come good. We need to improve our distribution as we are giving the ball away too easily.
'The victories will come' - Arbeloapublished at 11:51 BST 6 September
11:51 BST 6 September
Jonty Colman BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Fulham enjoyed a better expected goals (xG) of 3.13 than Crystal Palace (1.97), and also ran Chelsea close on the opening weekend.
But that does not stop the table reading three matches played, three defeats, zero points.
It led to booing from some Fulham fans, as well as chants questioning the team's performance.
Alvaro Arbeloa will be no stranger to pressure. His playing career included more than 350 appearances for Real Madrid, Deportivo la Coruna, Liverpool and West Ham.
He also won 56 caps for Spain and was part of their side that won two European Championships and a World Cup between 2008 and 2012.
Arbeloa got the job following four months as Real's caretaker manager, taking charge of the final 28 matches of last season following Xabi Alonso's departure.
In that time he oversaw 18 wins, two draws and eight defeats.
As a former defender, the Spaniard will have wanted to avoid conceding three goals, especially in the manner they did.
"We were really unlucky in this goal [second Palace goal," Arbeloa said.
If Fulham can keep creating chances in the way they did against Palace, the victories should come. But the prospect of being on zero - or very few - points at the international break is a real one.
Arbeloa faces meetings with two of his former clubs next. A trip to Liverpool comes before a home Carabao Cup third-round tie with the Hammers and a league meeting with Manchester United.
Only six Premier League teams have started a season with five straight defeats. Of them, only two went on to avoid relegation.
How Crystal Palace exposed Fulham's defencepublished at 11:12 BST 6 September
11:12 BST 6 September
Media caption,
Match of the Day pundit and ex-Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy gives his analysis on Fulham's defending in their 3-2 defeat by Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage.
Analysis: Arbeloa's tough start magnified with third league defeatpublished at 21:03 BST 5 September
21:03 BST 5 September
Jonty Colman BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Alongside newly promoted Coventry City, Fulham became the first of two teams to have played three games in the Premier League this season and lost all of them.
On paper, Fulham have not had the easiest set of starting fixtures - at home to Chelsea and then back-to-back meetings with sides that will be in this season's Europa League in Sunderland and Crystal Palace.
Like their opening weekend derby defeat by rivals Chelsea, Fulham scored twice but they conceded three goals that were largely avoidable.
And it doesn't get any easier from here. Fulham travel to Anfield next weekend to face Liverpool, then will host Manchester United in their final league game before the international break.
There were some boos and disparaging chants towards Arbeloa at full-time. With three defeats and seven goals conceded from their opening three games, it could easily get worse before it gets better for a side tipped by many to be in danger of going down in the pre-season predictions.
Fulham 2-3 Crystal Palace: What Arbeloa saidpublished at 17:22 BST 5 September
17:22 BST 5 September
Media caption,
Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I think we didn't deserve to lose this game. I think my players did everything, good attitude, they were brave, so many chances to score more goals. They [Crystal Palace] took their chances, in the end football is about that.
"We were really unlucky in this goal [second Palace goal], we had many chances also we were very unlucky. Good effort from Gonzalo [Garcia], that's the spirit I want from my players, the striker making a sprint to try and save a goal. With that spirit and character, if we play in this way, the victories will come.
"We did many good things to win the game, it was similar against Chelsea but we lose. For the players it's a difficult situation, difficult moment, but I am very proud of them.
"Cesar Palacios and Gonzalo Garcia both had a great game, Cesar scored a goal, and for Gonzalo another great performance."
Did you know?
Fulham's Josh King has scored two goals across his three Premier League games this season, after netting just once in his previous 40 for Fulham.
Fulham have lost each of their first three games of a top-flight campaign for the just the third time, also doing so in 1951-52 and 2020-21 - suffering relegation on both those occasions.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Nottingham Forest v Tottenham" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Aston Villa match", for example.
New this season: Live match updates
Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.
Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.
Sutton's predictions: Fulham v Crystal Palacepublished at 11:00 BST 5 September
11:00 BST 5 September
Neither of these teams have got a point so far, as I predicted.
On top of his side's poor start to the season, one of the problems for Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage will be dealing with Ismaila Sarr after he did not get a move to Liverpool before the transfer window shut.
My worry for Fulham is they have become a Real Madrid feeder team, and their boss Alvaro Arbeloa has already got issues with his squad.
He stuck the boot into his players after their defeat by Sunderland, questioning their mentality.
A first win would be massive for both new managers, but I don't think either of them will get it here.
Fulham v Crystal Palace: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:03 BST 4 September
19:03 BST 4 September
Fulham host London rivals Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on Saturday (15:00 BST), with both teams looking for their first point of the season.
Fulham's campaign got off to the worst possible start when they conceded to neighbours Chelsea just 30 seconds into their opening match.
Defeat by the Blues was followed by another at Sunderland and while there will be no panic at the Cottage as new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa is still settling in, fans might be aware that only twice before have Fulham lost their first three games of a top-flight campaign (1951-52 and 2020-21). On both previous occasions, they went on to be relegated.
Fulham have also struggled against Palace in recent years, winning just two of their last 13 Premier League matches against the Eagles (D6, L5), with neither victory coming on home soil. They have failed to win any of the past eight times they have hosted Palace in all competitions (D3, L5), losing on each of the last three occasions.
Meanwhile, midfielder Alex Iwobi could make his 100th Premier League appearance for Fulham in this match, which would see the former Arsenal and Everton player join an elite group of men who have racked up centuries of Premier League appearances for three different clubs.
It's also been a shaky start for Crystal Palace who, like Fulham are without a point, and have conceded six goals, the joint-highest total in the top flight.
Palace had 12 clean sheets in the 2025-26 league campaign, with only Arsenal and Manchester City having more. Yet the Eagles have conceded at least two goals in each of their last eight Premier League matches – they've never done so in nine in a row in their entire league history.
Only relegated bottom two Burnley and Wolves scored fewer times than Palace in last season's Premier League and the Eagles' only goal so far in this campaign has been an own goal. It's not been an ideal start for new boss Pierre Sage, who is now in danger of losing three league games in a row for the first time in his managerial career.
But Palace do have a good record against Fulham. They won 2-1 on their last league visit to Craven Cottage in December and also beat the Whites by that scoreline in a pre-season encounter at Motspur Park a month ago.
Arbeloa on new signings, Tete and pressure of tough startpublished at 11:58 BST 4 September
11:58 BST 4 September
Grace Wheeler BBC Sport journalist
Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
All players are available except for Tom Cairney. Arbeloa confirmed deadline-day signings Hugo Larsson, Manuel Angel and David Affengruber will be in the squad but are not ready to start, adding: "Be patient with with these three players - they need to understand what we want from them."
On what Larsson and Angel bring: "They both are number eight in that position. I felt we needed something there and both players are quality players that I think will improve us."
And more on Affengruber: "He is strong, has pace, is very good with the ball and understands the game very well. He will help us a lot in the centre-back position. He is young but with experience."
On the overall summer transfer business: "We are so happy with all the players that have joined us. We have a very good squad. I am very happy with the players that I have and now it's time to be focused on the next games, especially on tomorrow's game. My job is to improve my players. Now we know who we are and the team we want to be."
On right-back Kenny Tete, who was close to leaving the club: "He's very happy to be here another season. He has experience and he knows perfectly the club. We're happy with him."
Despite back-to-back defeats to start the league season, Arbeloa said he is "very happy with the attitudes of my players" adding: "They are so open to learn and we demand a lot from ourselves. I think this is the way because we will have bad days, like it was last Sunday [a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland], but even in those days we want people to recognise our team"
On the pressure at the start of his first season with Fulham: "Pressure is part of my job, it's part of our job, but it doesn't change anything about the way we have been working. The most important thing, for me, is that I work every day, try to improve and move on."
He added: "I know we are waiting for the first three points but we know that these first games are not easy games. You can see that we have had a difficult start, but we are very confident in the way we have been working."
A record-breaking transfer windowpublished at 07:01 BST 3 September
07:01 BST 3 September
Steve Sutcliffe, Emlyn Begley and Gary Rose BBC Sport journalists
Media caption,
Premier League clubs have broke their all-time summer transfer record with spending reaching £3.49bn.
A total of £506.5m was spent on deadline day itself, up from £391m last year.
The total amount spent during the window considerably dwarfs the £1.13bn spent by clubs just five years ago and underlines the power top English clubs have to attract talent, according to figures provided to BBC Sport by Paul Macdonald, founder of FootballTransfers.com.
Three of the 10 most expensive signings in the history of football have happened this summer – with all of them being Premier League signings. In fact, this summer window featured four of the top flight's five most expensive ever deals.
So maybe it is not surprising then that of the 20 most expensive transfers completed, only six were not to clubs in the English top flight.
Indeed, newly-promoted Ipswich have spent more on new signings than the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus and reigning European champions PSG.
Premier League clubs as a whole were willing to dip deep into their pockets this summer, as 11 of the 20 clubs broke their transfer records, six of them on more than one occasion.
Coventry, promoted to the Premier League alongside Ipswich and Hull, have done so four times over.
'I'm counting down the hours until my first training session' - Angelpublished at 09:42 BST 2 September
09:42 BST 2 September
Image source, Getty Images
Fulham's deadline day signing Manuel Angel says it will be "a real privilege" to play for his former youth academy coach Alvaro Arbeloa at Craven Cottage.
The 22-year-old midfielder has signed a three-year deal, becoming the third player to leave Real Madrid for Fulham this summer.
"It is an incredible feeling to have signed for such a legendary club as Fulham, the oldest club in London," Angel said. "It is also an incredible feeling to compete in the Premier League, a place where every player dreams of playing in their career.
"Training under Alvaro Arbeloa is a real privilege. I've known him for many years and he is a coach who brings out the best in players, gets the most out of each one of them, and most importantly understands them.
"I must give him the same intensity and commitment - or even more than ever before. I'm counting down the hours until my first training session.
"I give it my all in every match and I always think of the word 'team'."
Angel is also looking forward to linking back up with his "good friends" Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, this time in the Premier League.
"I've known them both for many years," he added. "They are outstanding players who have come of age in the best youth academy in the world: Real Madrid's.
"They are good friends who will no doubt help me with day-to-day life in London."
They have also signed Sweden midfielder Hugo Larsson from Eintracht Frankfurt on an initial season-long loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent on a long-term basis for £18.3m.
This is your Fulham page. Hit follow if you're on the website and you'll see more Whites content when you visit us. On the app? Hit the bell icon and select news alerts - we'll then send you the best bits.
Larsson 'honoured' by Fulham movepublished at 22:33 BST 1 September
22:33 BST 1 September
Image source, Getty Images
New Fulham signing Hugo Larsson says he is "honoured" to make the move to West London from Eintract Frankfurt.
The 22-year-old Sweden midfielder has signed on an initial season-long loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent on a long-term basis for £18.3m.
A product of Malmo's youth academy, Larsson made 119 appearances, scoring 10 goals and assisting seven times, across his three years in Germany, and has also played 12 times so far for his national team since his debut in January 2023.
"Obviously, it's a very proud moment for me and my family – I'm honoured to be here," Larsson told club media.
"To come here, to the oldest club in London, with all the history that it has, is such an honour for me."
Fulham Director of Football Tony Khan added: "I'm thrilled to welcome Hugo Larsson to Fulham. He is a very talented player, and we have been tracking him for several years.
"Hugo has impressed at Eintracht Frankfurt and for his national team, and I believe that he can strengthen our squad."
Fulham in advanced talks to sign Elche's Affengruberpublished at 16:02 BST 1 September
16:02 BST 1 September
Nizaar Kinsella Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Fulham are in advanced talks to sign David Affengruber from Elche, but with work still to be done.
The 25-year-old Austria international is keen on a move to Craven Cottage, where club officials are confident of completing a move before Tuesday's deadline.
It would be the third potential addition of the day, alongside two midfielders - Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Larsson and Real Madrid's Miguel Angel, who have both been completing medicals in London.
They are also looking at potentially adding a right-back before the deadline.
