Chelsea produced a stunning second-half comeback to beat Leeds United 6-3 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and advance to the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
The Blues looked set for a shock elimination after falling two goals behind, but Cole Palmer and Danny Welbeck scored twice each as Chelsea turned the game into a nine-goal thriller.
Pedro Neto and Valentín Barco also scored for Chelsea, while Tarik Muharemović, Brenden Aaronson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were on target for Leeds.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso made nine changes from the side that lost 2-1 to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
The decision appeared to backfire in the first half as Leeds took control.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Muharemović headed Harry Wilson’s corner past goalkeeper Mike Penders.
Leeds then stunned Stamford Bridge again three minutes after the restart.
Ampadu’s cross was flicked on by Nmecha and Aaronson finished clinically to make it 2-0.
Alonso responded by sending on Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Pedro Neto and Reece James.
The changes immediately transformed Chelsea.
The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute after Daniel James was judged to have fouled Pep Chavarría.
Palmer stepped up and converted to give Chelsea a lifeline.
Just two minutes later, the England international struck again to level the score.
Chelsea had suddenly recovered from 2-0 down and were now in complete control.
Neto completed the turnaround in the 60th minute, curling a fine effort beyond Leeds goalkeeper Michael Zetterer.
Five minutes later, Welbeck added Chelsea’s fourth, smashing a powerful finish past the goalkeeper.
Chelsea had scored four goals in only 12 minutes.
Leeds refused to give up and Calvert-Lewin pulled one back in the 75th minute to make it 4-3.
But Chelsea quickly restored their two-goal cushion.
Barco capitalised on a mistake in the Leeds defence to make it 5-3 in the 80th minute.
Welbeck completed his brace in stoppage time, heading in Chelsea’s sixth goal to put the result beyond doubt.
The victory gives Alonso a winning response after his first defeat as Chelsea manager came against Arsenal at the weekend.
It also highlights the attacking quality available to the Spanish coach, although the three goals conceded against Leeds will raise further questions about Chelsea’s defensive organisation.
The Blues have now advanced to the fourth round of the competition and will look to carry the momentum into their Premier League campaign.
Chelsea face Hull City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
For Leeds, the defeat ends their EFL Cup campaign despite an impressive opening hour in which they twice stunned the hosts.
The night ultimately belonged to Chelsea, who transformed a potential cup upset into one of the most dramatic comebacks of the season.
