Chelsea secured a 6-4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in Xabi Alonso’s first match as head coach.
The Blues trailed 4-3 midway through the second half, prompting Alonso to bring on a series of senior substitutes in an attempt to reverse the deficit.
Jamie Gittens equalised in the 75th minute, after which João Pedro entered the game from the bench.
Pedro responded with a rapid hat‑trick, scoring in the 80th minute with a low corner, in the 85th minute after a pass from Cole Palmer, and in the 89th minute from a corner in a crowded penalty area.
The goals were delivered in quick succession, keeping the crowd engaged and demonstrating the team’s attacking prowess.
Pedro’s performance follows his exclusion from Brazil’s World Cup squad, underscoring his commitment to the club.
The match exposed defensive vulnerabilities, as four goals were conceded, a point Alonso will need to address before the competitive season.
Despite the defensive lapses, Chelsea’s resilience and finishing secured a positive start to Alonso’s tenure at Stamford Bridge.
