FOOTBALL – Chelsea staged a remarkable second-half comeback to beat Leeds United 6-3 in the third round of the English League Cup yesterday, scoring six goals after making four changes at half-time.
Chelsea were two goals down and struggling to impose themselves before manager Xabi Alonso reacted decisively at the interval. Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Pedro Neto were among those introduced as Chelsea transformed the match after the break.
Leeds looked on course for an upset after Tarik Muharemovic headed them in front in the 23rd minute before Brenden Aaronson doubled their advantage early in the second half.
But Chelsea responded with a four-goal burst in 12 minutes and eventually secured a seven-goal thriller.
The result ended Leeds’ hopes of reaching the fourth round and extended their poor record in the competition, having now been eliminated at the third-round stage 14 times in the past 18 years.
Alonso had made nine changes to the Chelsea side that lost to Arsenal, taking the opportunity to rotate heavily with no European football adding to the importance of the League Cup.
The experimental line-up struggled for cohesion during the opening 45 minutes and was repeatedly exposed by an energetic Leeds side.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke also made eight changes, but his side showed greater organisation and intensity in the first half.
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