Joao Pedro scored a stunning late hat-trick as Chelsea came from behind to beat Western Sydney Wanderers 6-4 in Xabi Alonso’s first match as Blues manager.
Xabi Alonso began his Chelsea reign with an entertaining 6-4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday, as Joao Pedro produced a sensational nine-minute hat-trick to complete a dramatic comeback in an action-packed pre-season friendly.
Xabi in the Chelsea dugout. ✊
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 28, 2026
The former Real Madrid manager, who officially took charge on July 1, named a youthful starting lineup for his first game in charge at Stadium Australia, with several senior players unavailable following their involvement at the World Cup. Chelsea were forced to battle back repeatedly after falling behind three different times during a chaotic contest.
Chelsea made the perfect start when 17-year-old Kazakh prospect Dastan Satpaev marked his debut with a composed finish in the sixth minute after being played through by Ryan Kavuma-McQueen.
However, defensive lapses quickly allowed the Wanderers back into the game as Anthony Pantazopoulos headed home from a corner before Aydan Hammond completed the turnaround with a clinical finish.
The Blues recovered before halftime thanks to an excellent team move finished by Dario Essugo, who exchanged passes with Reggie Walsh before calmly finding the far corner to make it 2-2. But Chelsea’s defensive struggles continued after the break, with Dylan Scicluna restoring Western Sydney’s lead before the hosts later moved 4-3 ahead.
Gittens! 💪
Watch LIVE on CFC+ 📺
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 28, 2026
With Chelsea trailing, Alonso responded by making nine substitutions, introducing the likes of Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro. The changes transformed the tempo of the match, with Chelsea suddenly looking far more dangerous in attack.
Pedro proved to be the difference-maker, scoring three goals in just nine minutes to complete a remarkable hat-trick and turn the game decisively in Chelsea’s favor. His clinical finishing capped an impressive fightback and ensured Alonso celebrated his first match as Blues manager with an entertaining victory.
The result provides an early confidence boost for Alonso, who is tasked with rebuilding Chelsea after last season’s disappointing 10th-place Premier League finish that saw the club miss out on European competition.
First pre-season minutes in the tank for the Blues. ✔️ pic.twitter.com/FC9iNXs3mU
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 28, 2026
Chelsea’s preparations for the new season now step up with a much sterner challenge awaiting on Saturday, when Alonso’s side face London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Sydney. Further pre-season fixtures against Juventus, as well as matches in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia, will give the Spaniard more opportunities to fine-tune his tactical ideas before the Premier League campaign begins.
