Chelsea 6 Western Sydney Wanderers 4: Super-sub Joao Pedro scores hat-trick as Xabi Alonso wins thrilling first game

CHELSEA got pre-season off to an entertaining start in Australia as they faced Western Sydney Wanderers. The Blues were on the right end of a crazy 10-goal thriller. Chelsea played out an entertaining first friendly in Australia against Western Sydney Wanderers Credit: Getty Joao Pedro scored a hat-trick from the bench and grabbed an assist Credit: PA Xabi Alonso rotated his XI with a team of teens selected to start before the big guns came on for the last half hour. Trialist Dastan Satpayev – who won’t officially joined until he turns 18 next month – opened the scoring. Sign up for the Chelsea newsletter Thank you! He scored with a brilliant finish after just seven minutes following a direct attack. But the hosts hit back and were the stronger of the two sides early on. Anthony Pantazopoulos headed in at the back post from a corner as similar issues arose for the Blues. And things got worse when Aydan Hammond danced between Josh Acheampong and Tosin Adarabioyo to put Sydney in front. Chelsea’s attacking quality showed before the break, though, as they entered level. Satpayev, 17, a live wire throughout, played Dario Essugo inside. He completed a one-two with Reggie Walsh and slotted home for 2-2. Most read in Sport Chelsea started the second half with a pair of 16-year-olds in midfield, Mahdi Nicoll-Juzuli and Reggie Watson. And on the hour mark they made a host of changes – but it came with the new players a goal down. Landon Emenalo’s deflected cross fell to Dylan Scicluna, who lashed in low and hard with his left foot. That seemed to rile up the A-team. Jamie Gittens, a scorer in both behind-closed-doors games, slotted in from close range after slick play by Joao Pedro to get to the byline. Gittens had already seen a shot saved moments earlier as Chelsea turned the screw. But despite the superstars coming on, it was WSW ahead again as they pounced on a poor touch by Estevao Willian. Awan Lual netted in a one-on-one. It was soon 4-4. Joao Pedro curled in barely moments later. Chelsea’s best players looked like they could open up their opposition at will with Gittens bursting into space whenever he pleased. Estevao sprinted in to try and give Chelsea the win but saw his effort well saved. Joao Pedro got his second and Chelsea’s fifth less than two minutes on. 5-4, if you have had troubled keeping up. The Brazilian then got his hat-trick when tucking home a scrappy third from a corner. If this is what the Alonso era is going to be like, Chelsea fans are in for a ride. More to follow… More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us on TikTok @TheSun. Comment now