Chelsea produced a remarkable comeback to beat Leeds United 6-3 after trailing by two goals in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Xabi Alonso made nine changes to the side beaten at Arsenal, and his makeshift selection was comprehensively outplayed before the interval. Tarik Muharemovic put Leeds in front in the 23rd minute, and Brenden Aaronson made it 2-0 just two minutes into the second half.
What followed was one of the most extraordinary capitulations the contest has witnessed in recent memory. Cole Palmer scored from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute and curled in a second two minutes later before Pedro Neto and Danny Welbeck added to the lead. Dominic Calvert-Lewin briefly raised the hopes of the visitors in the 75th minute, but Valentin Barco and Welbeck again completed the rout.
Chelsea’s win means they progress to the next round of the competition. Here are five talking points from a night of unmitigated chaos in West London:
Alonso’s Four-Time Half-Time Intervention Changed The Whole Game
The Spaniard’s rotated XI, which included 16-year-old Reggie Watson’s debut, showed no sign of any collective coherence whatsoever. His half-time remedy was brutal, with Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Neto and Reece James all introduced at the same time. Alonso took responsibility for a poor opening period when speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, but he praised the readiness of his replacements. The intervention scored six goals, but also showed just how much this team still depends on a small core of elite players.
Cole Palmer’s Two-Minute Double Ignited the Comeback
Palmer scored from twelve yards after Dan James was penalised for catching the standing leg of Pep Chavarria inside the box. Two minutes later, the England forward used Jaka Bijol as a shield and bent an exquisite equaliser beyond Michael Zetterer. Daniel Farke then questioned the penalty award, saying no one had appealed and that the decision had swung the momentum firmly in the other direction. Palmer, who was named man of the match after the game, said Chelsea’s attackers are thoroughly enjoying Alonso’s methods.
Morgan Rogers Gave Emphatic Reasons For His British-Record Valuation
Rogers did not score, but he played a big part in Chelsea’s goals. He assisted Palmer’s leveller, Neto’s goal, and Welbeck’s opener. The Blues paid £117 million to Aston Villa in July to make the 24-year-old the most expensive British footballer ever. A contribution to the creative so thorough is strong early evidence that the outlay was not remotely extravagant.
Alonso’s Most Obvious Unsolved Problem: Defensive Porosity
Leeds had 18 attempts to Chelsea’s 16 and a marginally better expected goals count of 2.45 to 2.38. Possession finished level at 50% apiece, hardly the statistical profile of a six-goal triumph. Alonso’s side have found the net 16 times in their opening five games but have also shipped 10 goals. That prodigality offers considerable entertainment to neutrals, but leaves an obvious structural vulnerability utterly unaddressed.
Leeds Leave With Plenty Of Credit Despite The Chastening Scoreline
Farke made eight changes and gave debuts to Zetterer and Melvin Bard, but his reshuffled team dominated the first half. Muharemovic, signed from Sassuolo for £34m, headed home his first Leeds goal from a deep Harry Wilson corner. Aaronson also scored, and substitute Calvert-Lewin briefly threatened an improbable salvage operation.