Chelsea Fight Back to Beat Leeds 6-3 After Alonso’s Nine Changes

Chelsea recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Leeds United 6-3 in a remarkable Carabao Cup third-round tie, with a reshaped side rescued by a ruthless second-half response at Stamford Bridge.

Xabi Alonso made nine alterations following the weekend defeat by Arsenal, and Chelsea struggled for cohesion before the interval. Tarik Muharemovic put Leeds ahead, leaving the home side 1-0 down at half-time and facing an early cup exit.

Quick facts

• Chelsea overturned a 2-0 deficit to defeat Leeds United 6-3.
• Cole Palmer scored twice after the interval, including a penalty.
• Morgan Rogers supplied three assists after coming off the bench.
• Valentin Barco registered his first Chelsea goal.
• Chelsea have reached the Carabao Cup fourth round alongside Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Bradford City, Sunderland and Newcastle.

Brenden Aaronson doubled Leeds’ lead soon after the restart, but Alonso reacted by sending on four substitutes at half-time. The impact was immediate as Palmer converted from the spot before scoring again less than two minutes later to restore parity.

Pedro Neto completed Chelsea’s six-minute turnaround with a third goal. Danny Welbeck then made it 4-2 after Rogers created the chance, with the substitute midfielder becoming central to the home side’s surge.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin reduced the deficit for Leeds and briefly revived the visitors’ hopes. Chelsea, however, pulled away again through Barco’s first goal for the club before Welbeck struck late for his second of the night.

Alonso accepted responsibility for the troubled first half rather than directing criticism towards the players brought into his rotated line-up. He said the selection decision had left Chelsea exposed and acknowledged that the team had not performed as intended before the break.

“The responsibility is mine,” Alonso said. “There is no player to blame; it was a decision we made. The first half was not developing how we wanted. Without enough time to work with those squad players, competing at this level becomes difficult. We have to review it, but I am pleased we progressed and pleased with the response.”

The former Bayer Leverkusen coach said he would examine how to give less-used players a better platform to contribute. He felt the circumstances had been difficult for them and admitted he may have made their task harder, while praising the effect of those introduced during the match.

Questions remain over Chelsea’s depth after a second-string selection looked vulnerable at the back despite 10 first-team arrivals during the transfer window. Alonso rejected the suggestion that the display should be treated as proof that the club lack dependable alternatives.

He said he did not want to take a cynical view of the result, adding that he may not have made the right choices to allow the players to show their best level. Alonso said it was an area he would assess and learn from.

Chelsea will learn their fourth-round opponents next Wednesday night, once Manchester United’s tie against Brighton has finished. The other remaining third-round fixtures will be completed next week as the final places in the last 16 are decided.