Joao Pedro ensured Xabi Alonso made a winning start to life as Chelsea boss as the Brazilian striker netted a nine-minute hat-trick in a thrilling 6-4 triumph against Western Sydney Wanderers at the Accor Stadium.
Only four of Alonso's starting XI made an appearance in the Premier League last season as Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Dario Essugo and Liam Delap featured in a youthful line up alongside the likes of Reggie Walsh and Kazakh striker Dastan Satpaev, who doesn't join Chelsea officially until next month.
The Blues made a brilliant start as Ryan Kavuma-McQueen's through ball picked out the run of Satpaev and the 17-year-old lashed it into the roof of the net.
Chelsea were pegged back just seven minutes when the unmarked Anthony Pantazopoulos nodded in from the back post, and they went behind just after the half hour mark as Aydan Hammond slotted beyond Teddy Sharman-Lowe into the bottom corner.
Dario Essugo then showcased his skillset to restore parity with a goal that he created and finished himself. Driving Chelsea forward, he then picked up a pass from Walsh before delivering a composed finish.
Alonso refrained from introducing any of the stars on his packed bench when Western Sydney Wanderers added a third through Dylan Scicluna, which prompted the Spaniard to take action.
Nine changes were made and the result was instantaneous as Joao Pedro rode several challenges before cutting back for Jamie Gittens to stroke the ball home.
However, the script didn't unfold as planned when a pass from Estevao failed to reach Reggie Watson and Wanderers striker Awan Lual was able to capitalise, slotting beyond substitute goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea replied immediately through Joao Pedro and the magnificent Brazilian netted his second just five minutes later as he collected a Cole Palmer pass, chopped onto his right foot and dispatched the ball into the bottom corner.
Joao Pedro completed his hat-trick in less than 10 minutes as a Chelsea corner was headed back across goal by Wesley Fofana and the forward managed to scramble the ball over the line.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea Match Stats
Western Sydney Wanderers | Chelsea | |
43% | Possession | 57% |
1.55 | Expected Goals | 3.16 |
16 | Shots | 23 |
8 | Shots on Target | 12 |
3 | Big Chances | 9 |
6 | Goalkeeper Saves | 4 |
5 | Corners | 7 |
348 | Total Passes | 468 |
83% | Pass Accuracy | 84% |
13/23 | Tackles | 11/17 |
13 | Clearances | 24 |
1 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
0 | Red Cards | 0 |
Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea Timeline
6' - Goal Chelsea. Scored by Dastan Satpaev, assisted by Ryan Kavuma-McQueen.
14' - Goal WSW. Scored by Anthony Pantazopoulos, assisted by Brandon Borello.
32' - Goal WSW. Scored by Aydan Hammond, assisted by Alex Gerbasch.
38' - Goal Chelsea. Scored by Dario Essugo, assisted by Reggie Walsh.
46' - Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli replaced Dario Essugo, Omari Kellyman replaced Ryan Kavuma-McQueen.
62' - Goal WSW. Scored by Dylan Scicluna, assisted by Brandon Borello.
63' - Estevao replaced Omari Kellyman, Joao Pedro replaced Liam Delap, Levi Colwill replaced Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino replaced Landon Emenalo, Jamie Gittens replaced Dastan Satpaev, Cole Palmer replaced Reggie Walsh, Marco Palestra replaced Olutayo Subuloye, Wesley Fofana replaced Josh Acheampong, Robert Sanchez replaced Teddy Sharman-Lowe.
66' - Goal Chelsea. Scored by Jamie Gittens, assisted by Joao Pedro.
78' - Goal WSW. Scored by Awan Lual, assisted by Jarrod Carluccio.
80' - Goal Chelsea. Scored by Joao Pedro.
80' - Goal Chelsea. Scored by Joao Pedro, assisted by Cole Palmer.
89' - Goal Chelsea. Scored by Joao Pedro.
90+3' - Yellow card for Alaat Abdul-Rahman.
