Chelsea ended their pre-season preparations with a convincing 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge, giving Xabi Alonso a winning result ahead of the new Premier League campaign, Softfootball reports.
The Blues started brightly and took the lead in the 11th minute. Morgan Rogers marked his Chelsea debut with a goal after reacting quickest following a save from Joao Pedro’s header.
Real Sociedad responded strongly and levelled just before half-time through Jon Mikel Aramburu, who produced an excellent volley to make it 1-1 at the break.
Chelsea regained control immediately after the restart. Joao Pedro restored their lead with a well-placed header in the 47th minute before completing his brace in the 77th minute with a composed finish in a one-on-one situation.
The Brazilian’s double took his pre-season tally to seven goals, highlighting his impressive form heading into the new campaign. Rogers, Reece James, Pedro Neto and Moises Caicedo also delivered encouraging performances as Alonso gave minutes to 20 players.
Chelsea will now prepare for their Premier League opener against Fulham on August 24, while Real Sociedad begin their La Liga campaign against Real Betis.
Player Ratings
| Chelsea Player | Rating |
|---|---|
| Robert Sanchez | 6.8 |
| Wesley Fofana | 7.4 |
| Reece James | 7.8 |
| Moises Caicedo | 7.3 |
| Pedro Neto | 7.7 |
| Cole Palmer | 6.8 |
| Morgan Rogers | 7.8 |
| Joao Pedro | 9.2 |
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Chelsea | Real Sociedad |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 59% | 41% |
| Shots | 15 | 16 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 4 |
| Corners | 4 | 2 |
| Fouls | 5 | 12 |
