Xabi Alonso began his tenure as Chelsea manager with an extraordinary 10 goal thriller as his side secured a chaotic 6 4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at Accor Stadium.
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Subscribe Sekarang →A youthful starting lineup traded blows in a lively first half that ended level at two goals apiece. Dastan Satpaev opened the scoring with a brilliant effort following a slick passing sequence, before Anthony Pantazopoulos and Aydan Hammond struck to give the hosts a 3 2 lead after Dario Essugo had briefly leveled for the visitors.
Dylan Scicluna capitalized on a defensive error to extend the Australian side's advantage early in the second period. Alonso then turned to his bench just past the hour mark, introducing star players including Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro to alter the dynamic of the contest.
Pedro immediately ignited a frantic finale by setting up Gittens for an equalizer. Although Awan Lual put the Wanderers back ahead at 4 3, Pedro took complete control of the match with a remarkable nine minute hat trick to seal a winning start for the new manager.
The former Bayer Leverkusen boss deployed a back four rather than his trademark back three, though defensive frailties will require urgent attention. Chelsea will now prepare to face London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Sydney on Saturday.