EFL: Chelsea hit Leeds United 6-3 to advance in League Cup

n n

Chelsea fought back from two goals down to beat Leeds 6-3 as Cole Palmer and Danny Welbeck rescued the Blues in a League Cup third-round classic on Wednesday.

n

Xabi Alonso’s side were in danger of crashing out following Tarik Muharemovic’s first-half opener and a Brenden Aaronson goal soon after the interval at Stamford Bridge.

n

But Alonso sent on England forward Palmer, along with Morgan Rogers, Pedro Neto and Reece James, at half-time, and the decision inspired Chelsea’s stirring escape act.

n

Palmer struck twice to haul Chelsea level, and Neto put them ahead before Welbeck made it four.

n

Dominic Calvert-Lewin got one back for Leeds, but Valentin Barco and Welbeck netted to ensure Chelsea moved into the fourth round in style.

n

Losing 2-1 at Premier League champions Arsenal on Sunday had ended Alonso’s three-game winning start to his reign.

n

But the Chelsea boss got back on track with the kind of chaotic victory that has defined his brief spell in charge.

n

Chelsea have scored 16 goals in Alonso’s first five matches to showcase their attacking talent.

n

But they have conceded 10 to prove the defensive issues that plagued them last season have not gone away since Alonso’s arrival.

n

Despite spending £349 million ($472 million) during the transfer window, Chelsea ended the Arsenal game with James and Malo Gusto — two players who are usually right-backs — operating in central midfield.

n

Alonso fielded another untested alignment in the midfield engine room as teenage debutant Reggie Watson lined up alongside Argentine youngster Barco.

n

The 16-year-old Watson — the fourth-youngest player in Chelsea’s history — is the son of Ben Watson, who scored Wigan’s FA Cup final winner against Manchester City in 2013.

n

Alonso’s decision to make nine changes was in danger of backfiring when Leeds went in front from a 23rd-minute corner.

n

– Chelsea goal spree –

n

Harry Wilson’s delivery to the far post caught Chelsea flat-footed, and Bosnia defender Muharemovic powered a header past Mike Penders for his first Leeds goal.

n

Leeds seemed unfazed by the introduction of Chelsea’s stars at the interval as they struck again in the 48th minute.

n

Ethan Ampadu’s cross was flicked on by Lukas Nmecha, and Aaronson finished with aplomb.

n

But Chelsea earned a crucial lifeline five minutes later when Daniel James’s soft challenge on Pep Chavarria was deemed worthy of a penalty that Palmer stroked home.

n

Just two minutes later, Chelsea were level when Palmer’s shot trickled past Leeds’ debutant goalkeeper Michael Zetterer.

n

Suddenly, Chelsea were rampant and Neto curled their third goal beyond Zetterer from 20 yards in the 60th minute.

n

Alonso’s men made it four goals in the space of just 12 minutes as Welbeck turned and smashed a powerful strike past Zetterer’s weak attempted save.

n

Calvert-Lewin reduced the deficit in the 75th minute with a clinical finish from Noah Okafor’s pass.

n

But Barco swept into the empty net after Zetterer made a hash of Rogers’s cross in the 80th minute.

n

And Welbeck rounded off the goal spree in stoppage time with a cushioned header from Barco’s shot.

n

League Cup holders Manchester City and Premier League champions Arsenal play their third-round ties next week against Norwich and Ipswich respectively.

n

Liverpool, who host Tottenham, and Manchester United, who welcome Brighton to Old Trafford, are also in action next week.

n

Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Sunderland and Bradford all advanced to the fourth round on Tuesday.

n

AFP

n n