Chelsea came from two goals down to beat Leeds United 6-3 in a Stamford Bridge thriller to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round.
Xabi Alonso named a much-changed line-up but had to backtrack and make four substitutions at half time. That took the home side from 1-0 down to 2-0 down, before Cole Palmer’s penalty began a comeback.
Palmer scored a second, Pedro Neto added the Blues’ third, and Danny Welbeck their fourth. Leeds scored their third of the night to get back into it, but Valentin Barco then made it 5-3 and Welbeck six secure Alonso his passage into the fourth round in a memorable affair.
Dom Smith was at Stamford Bridge to rate the Chelsea players…
Mike Penders 7
Beaten twice, but the Belgian made a world-class double save from an early corner which helps his rating shoot up.
Josh Acheampong 5
Struggled on the night as the defence had a difficult outing.
Maxence Lacroix 4
Not his best performance since signing. Good in the air but was nudged out the way far too easily for Leeds’s second goal.
Levi Colwill 4
Didn’t have a good night out there on his return after being benched against Arsenal over a fitness concern.
Malo Gusto 4
Deservedly one of those hooked at half time, with the game passing him by in midfield.
Valentin Barco 8
Would have got a higher rating for his terrier-like display but lost the ball in the lead-up to Leeds’s second goal. Made amends for that by hammering in Chelsea’s fifth on the night.
Reggie Watson 5
Not the debut that the 16-year-old would have wanted. Made some important interceptions but was booked for a bad foul - and then hooked at the interval.
Pep Chavarria 6
Showed plenty of tenacity and grew into the game, earning the penalty from which Chelsea’s comeback win was build.
Estevao 5
Didn’t pull up any trees and will have been disappointed by his limited impact. Taken off at the break.
Jamie Gittens 5
Just as for Estevao, it was a frustrating night for the English winger, replaced early.
Danny Welbeck 7
Ran the line tirelessly and got his goals when getting across his marker to convert from a Morgan Rogers pullback and then getting fortunate as a late Barco shot popped up and allowed him to head in.
Subs:
Cole Palmer (Estevao, 46’) 9
Inspired the comeback. Scored from the spot, then rolled in beautifully for 2-2 from open play. Nearly scored a third with a sweetly struck effort that was blocked. His second goal was a pearler.
Morgan Rogers (Watson, 46’) 9
Sublime performance from the £117million man. Registered four assists in one half. Enough said.
Reece James (Gusto, 46’) 7
A very important part of Chelsea’s comeback win. Made blocks and tackles and passed responsibily.
Pedro Neto (Gittens, 46’) 6
Played well and got an important goal to put Chelsea ahead for the first time in the game. Tidy finish, too.
Wesley Fofana (Colwill, 76’) N/A
Not used: Martinez, Joao Pedro, Hato, Quenda
