Palmer-led Chelsea surge past Leeds after two-goal scare

Chelsea recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Leeds United 6-3 at Stamford Bridge and advance to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. BBC Sport reported that the home side scored all six of their goals after halftime, turning a difficult opening period into a decisive victory.

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Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso made nine changes to his starting lineup, while Leeds manager Daniel Farke made eight. The altered Chelsea side struggled for rhythm and was booed off at halftime after defender Tarik Muharemovic put Leeds ahead. Brenden Aaronson then doubled the visitors' advantage shortly after the restart. Chelsea have now conceded at least twice in four of Alonso's first five matches in charge.

Alonso had already responded by making four changes at the interval, sending on Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Pedro Neto and Reece James. The substitutions transformed the contest. Palmer scored twice, Neto also found the net, and Rogers helped create four goals from open play as Chelsea swept past Leeds.

Danny Welbeck, one of the players retained in Chelsea's heavily rotated starting team, scored twice. Valentin Barco added Chelsea's fifth goal, although BBC Sport noted that he was also partly responsible for Leeds' second. Young attackers Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens were removed at halftime, as was 16-year-old debutant Reggie Watson, who had been booked.

After the match, Alonso accepted responsibility for how Chelsea had begun. He said he needed to make better decisions to help his players show their best level and described the substitutions as part of the game. The coach declined to take what he called a cynical view of the contrast between the starters and the established players introduced from the bench.

The result preserves Chelsea's chance of winning a trophy in a season without European football. It also gives Alonso more competitive fixtures in which to manage a 27-player squad and provide opportunities for academy prospects. Those future chances were secured on this occasion by the senior substitutes who rescued Chelsea from a threatening cup exit.