Chelsea has secured its inaugural victory under the management of Xabi Alonso, triumphing 6-4 against the Western Sydney Wanderers in a pre-season friendly held in Australia. The standout player was Joao Pedro, who scored a remarkable hat-trick in just nine minutes after being substituted in the second half.
Alonso’s experimental lineup featured only three first-team players, showcasing Chelsea’s attacking prowess while exposing several defensive frailties. The match began with Dastan Satpaev scoring for Chelsea in the 6th minute. However, the Wanderers quickly reversed the lead by the 32nd minute, thanks to goals from Anthony Pantazopoulos and Aidan Hammond.
Despite Chelsea’s struggles in defense, Dario Essugo managed to equalize just before halftime. Upon resuming, Alonso made minimal substitutions, but the Wanderers regained the lead in the 62nd minute through Dylan Skicluna.
Joao Pedro Turns the Game Around
Following the Wanderers’ second goal, Alonso made several changes, adding key players such as Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Jamie Gittens, Estevao, and Joao Pedro. These alterations revitalized Chelsea’s performance, leading to an equalizer in the 66th minute from Gittens, assisted by Pedro.
Despite dominating possession, a misplaced pass from Estevao allowed Lual to score for the Wanderers in the 78th minute. However, Chelsea showcased their superiority as Joao Pedro netted his hat-trick, sealing a memorable comeback and securing their first win under Alonso.
Upcoming Matches Against Top Opponents
Chelsea’s pre-season preparations continue this Saturday with another friendly against Tottenham in Sydney. Following that, they will face Juventus in Hong Kong and AC Milan in Jakarta, Indonesia, as they gear up for the upcoming season.
