Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso took responsibility for a poor first-half performance against Leeds United in the Carabao Cup, despite his side going on to win 6-3 after trailing 2-0 at half-time. Four half-time substitutions, including Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, transformed the match at Stamford Bridge, turning boos into cheers and securing Chelsea's progress to the fourth round. The result matters both for Chelsea's hopes of silverware in a season without European football and for keeping their large 27-man squad competitively engaged.

Leeds, who made eight changes of their own, took the lead through Tarik Muharemovic before Brenden Aaronson doubled their advantage early in the second half, exploiting a Chelsea side weakened by nine changes. Alonso's four substitutes at the break, Palmer, Rogers, Pedro Neto and Reece James, inspired a dramatic comeback, with Palmer scoring twice and Neto also on target as Chelsea hit six unanswered goals. Danny Welbeck, 35, scored twice from the start line-up, while several fringe players, including 16-year-old debutant Reggie Watson and £40m signing Geovany Quenda, struggled to impress, leaving Alonso to reflect on tough selection decisions ahead.