Xabi Alonso enjoyed a winning first outing as Chelsea manager at Stamford Bridge, watching his side come from behind to beat Real Sociedad 3-1 in their final pre-season friendly before the Premier League campaign gets under way.
Morgan Rogers gave the hosts an early lead, tapping in from close range after Joao Pedro's header found him in a good position. Real Sociedad responded impressively, with Jon Aramburu levelling matters via a well-struck volley that few could have kept out.
The visitors had chances to go further ahead, with Robert Sanchez called upon to make a smart stop to deny Martin and then racing off his line to thwart Oskarsson when the striker broke clean through. Chelsea's back line, deployed as a three, had some uneasy moments, particularly through Wesley Fofana, who struggled with the space in behind, and Marco Palestra, whose defensive lapse contributed to Sociedad's equaliser.
However, Chelsea regrouped after the interval and took control of the contest. Joao Pedro, who has been in excellent scoring form throughout pre-season, headed in early in the second half to restore the lead. He later added a third, latching onto a pass to run in behind before finishing confidently past the goalkeeper. His all-around performance stood out as one of the best on the pitch, with his hold-up play and movement proving difficult for Sociedad to handle throughout.
Pedro Neto also impressed on the right side of Chelsea's wing-back setup, consistently getting the better of his marker and providing the delivery that led to the opening goal. With his future at the club still a talking point, his display offered a strong argument for remaining part of Alonso's squad. Reece James, though a little rusty after a late return to pre-season training, produced a precise cross to tee up Chelsea's second goal and continued to take on a leadership role, receiving instructions from Alonso throughout the match.
Moises Caicedo was influential in midfield during the opening period, breaking up play and looking to spring Chelsea forward, while Levi Colwill provided composed passing from the back and organized his teammates defensively. Cole Palmer had a quieter afternoon by his usual standards, showing flashes of quality but lacking his typical decisive influence until improving slightly after the restart.
Alonso made wholesale changes in the second half, handing minutes to a host of substitutes. Malo Gusto delivered the assist for Joao Pedro's second goal with a clever ball in behind, while Jorrel Hato caught the eye with a driving run from deep and a crucial clearance. Enzo Fernandez wore the captain's armband following his introduction and drew mixed reactions from supporters, some jeering his touches while others offered vocal support. Estevao Willian's introduction sparked considerable excitement among the crowd, with the youngster nearly finding the target with one effort.
The result gives Alonso a positive send-off as he prepares for his competitive bow in charge of Chelsea, who travel to Fulham a week on Monday to begin their Premier League campaign. With key players like Joao Pedro finding form and squad depth being tested extensively, the Blues will hope the momentum from this pre-season victory can carry into the start of the new season.
Based on reporting from Standard Football.