An incredible second-half comeback including six goals in 41 minutes saw Chelsea finally blow away Leeds 6-3 in one of the all-time Carabao Cup classics at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
The Blues found themselves two goals behind when Brenden Aaronson struck after 47 minutes to add to Tarik Muharemovic’s opener, and it appeared Xabi Alonso’s first real cup test would end in disappointment – despite the half-time introduction of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Pedro Neto and Reece James.<\/p>\n
A Palmer penalty turned the game on its head suddenly after Pep Chavarria was caught by Dan James, but it was Rogers who inspired the comeback, making four of Chelsea’s six goals.<\/p>\n
Three of those assists – for Palmer’s second, Neto’s strike and the first of two for Danny Welbeck – came as Chelsea netted three times more in 12 minutes, including Welbeck’s fourth which should have given them breathing space when he fired through Michael Zetterer’s legs.<\/p>\n
Not for the first time in Alonso’s short reign however, chaos once again reigned over control as Leeds continued to create chances before Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled them back to within a goal with 15 minutes to go.<\/p>\n
It was still uncertain that Chelsea had finally sealed their progress when Valentin Barco blasted them 5-3 up from close range from another Rogers assist, but they could finally rest easy in added time – and extinguish Leeds’ commendable never-say-die attitude – when Welbeck nodded Barco’s wildly mishit effort beyond Zetterer.<\/p>\n
If there was ever a goal to sum up a game, this was it. Alonso was handed another clear indication of where his side remain lacking – but for now, chaos isn’t serving them too badly.<\/p>\n
Farke: No-one was asking for penalty<\/h3>\n
Leeds <\/strong>head coach Daniel Farke <\/strong>on Sky Sports:<\/em><\/p>\n “We played with confidence, there was not even a chance for them, then the referee decided to give a penalty.<\/p>\n “Nobody was asking for it, all of a sudden their players came into the game. The momentum was on their side. Situations can change the whole momentum of the game.”<\/p>\n Chelsea <\/strong>manager Xabi Alonso <\/strong>on Sky Sports:<\/em><\/p>\n “There was so many changes. There was a risk. Things weren’t going the way we planned, so we had to change. I take responsibility with the first half. The crowd were great, with the atmosphere [pushing the players on].<\/p>\n “I like that [the substitutes] were ready before the game. They knew they weren’t starting and they were ready to make an impact.<\/p>\n “When you put together a team that hardly plays together, it is difficult to play at this level when [Leeds] are intense.”<\/p>\n Player of the match Cole Palmer<\/strong> on Sky Sports:<\/em><\/p>\n “You can see I’m enjoying it. Me and Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro, the attacking players.<\/p>\n “Not to say the defenders aren’t – but it’s a lot different.<\/p>\n “We’ve still got a bit to go, but we’re getting results and that’s the main thing.”<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Alonso: Always a risk making mass changes<\/h3>\n
Palmer: It’s a lot different under Alonso<\/h3>\n
Watch the best bits from a Stamford Bridge classic<\/h3>\n
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