Chelsea edge Western Sydney Wanderers 6-4 in wild Accor Stadium clash

Chelsea won a ten-goal contest after Western Sydney Wanderers twice fought back, with Joao Pedro scoring a late hat-trick.

Chelsea beat Western Sydney Wanderers 6-4 at Accor Stadium in a breathless contest that swung repeatedly between the sides. D. Satpaev put Chelsea ahead in the sixth minute, but Western Sydney replied through A. Pantazopoulos and A. Hammond to lead 2-1. D. Essugo levelled before half-time, and D. Scicluna restored the Wanderers’ advantage after the break.

The key moment came in the closing stages. After A. Lual made it 4-3 in the 78th minute, Joao Pedro struck three times—in the 80th, 85th and 89th minutes—to turn the game decisively Chelsea’s way. J. Gittens had also scored for Chelsea in the 66th.

Chelsea take the win and a striking attacking return, but conceding four goals will temper the satisfaction. For Western Sydney, three separate leads or level scores could not be protected, despite goals from four different players.