Chelsea scored six second half goals to crush Leeds United 6-3 in their Carabao Cup third round clash at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
The Blues went behind to Leeds by two goals, but a 12-minute second half blitz put them back in control before they closed out the end-to-end match with a crucial victory that sees the team return to winning ways despite heavy rotation.
Manager Xabi Alonso gave his fringe players an opportunity in the cup competition, resting his entire attacking line that featured against Arsenal over the weekend, and handed 16 years old teenager Reggie Watson a start.
Leeds pounced on the unrecognized team and took the lead through Tarik Muharemović’s header from a corner kick on 23 minutes, and doubled the lead three minutes into the second half through Brenden Aaranson’s well-placed shot.
Alonso had brought four players including Cole Palmer, Reece James, Pedro Neto, and Morgan Rogers at halftime, and they provided the spark for four goals in quick succession.
Palmer converted a penalty on 53 minutes and equalized from Rogers’ pass to equalize. Netoo slotted into the far corner via the post on 60 minutes, and Danny Welbeck smashed a shot home to make it 4-2 five minutes later.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin reduced the deficit for Leeds, but Valentin Barco netted the fifth with his first ever goal for Chelsea, and Welbeck completed his brace in added time with a poacher’s strike to seal the big win.
Chelsea advance to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup for the fourth consecutive season, and await their opponents following a draw to be held on September 16.
