Joao Pedro hat-trick leads Chelsea past Western Sydney Wanderers in 6-4 thriller

Chelsea edged a wild contest at Accor Stadium, with Joao Pedro scoring three late goals after Western Sydney Wanderers had repeatedly fought back.

Chelsea won a remarkable 6-4 encounter with Western Sydney Wanderers at Accor Stadium, in a match that swung repeatedly before Joao Pedro took charge late on.

D. Satpaev put Chelsea ahead in the sixth minute, but A. Pantazopoulos and A. Hammond turned the game around for the Wanderers. D. Essugo levelled before the break. D. Scicluna restored the Australian side’s lead in the 62nd minute, only for J. Gittens to answer four minutes later.

The decisive spell came in the closing stages. A. Lual made it 4-3 in the 78th minute, but Joao Pedro equalised two minutes later, struck again in the 85th and completed his hat-trick in the 89th. His late burst settled an extraordinary, goal-heavy contest and secured Chelsea the win, though conceding four goals will temper the satisfaction of scoring six.