Chelsea came from behind to beat Leeds 6-3 in the League Cup after a big squad change

EnglandChelsea trailed 0-2 but exploded with six goals in the second half to beat Leeds 6-3 in the third round of the League Cup.

The League Cup has great significance in the context of Chelsea not participating in the European Cup this season. But the rotation plans of new coach Xabi Alonso almost caused "The Blues" to stop early.

Chelsea did not have to endure a very tight schedule, but still replaced nine players compared to the squad that lost 1-2 to Arsenal in the third round of the Premier League last weekend. 16-year-old player Reggie Watson was given the opportunity to debut for the first team, playing in midfield with Valentin Barco - a rookie recruited for 46 million USD from Strasbourg. Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian played as two defenders, supporting striker Danny Welbeck but showed a lack of feeling on the ball. Pep Chavarria, starting at left-back, had many difficulties with the speed of Daniel James.

The unfamiliar lineup made it difficult for Chelsea to control the game and confused in fixed situations. In the 22nd minute, from a long throw-in, Aaronson and Muharemovic consecutively scored inside the penalty area, forcing goalkeeper Mike Penders to struggle to save. At the following corner, Wilson crossed the ball to the far post for Muharemovic to head cross, opening the score for Leeds.

Alonso replaced four positions after the break, when key players Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Pedro Neto and Reece James entered the field. But it only took Leeds three minutes to respond to the appearance of Chelsea's stars. Ethan Ampadu accelerated past Rogers and then passed the ball into the penalty area. Lukas Nmecha delicately backheeled, creating conditions for Aaronson to score unmarked, doubling the gap for Leeds.

In a difficult situation, Chelsea suddenly received a penalty after an unclear collision between James and Chavarria in the penalty area. On the 11 meter mark, Palmer shot low to the right corner, shortening the gap to one goal. When the match entered the 53rd minute, Leeds began to face enormous pressure.

The game turned around quickly when Chelsea continuously pressed. The home team played with much stronger energy, while Palmer became the focus of the attacks. In the 55th minute, from Rogers' wall, the English midfielder gently curled his left foot from about 18 meters, putting the ball into the corner of the net, leaving Zetterer with no chance to block.

In just five minutes, from the 60th to the 65th minute, Neto and Welbeck scored consecutive goals from comfortable shots in the penalty area, helping Chelsea lead 4-2. Leeds did not give up when substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin shortened the gap to 3-4.

But the away team's hopes were quickly extinguished. In the 80th minute, Barco scored from close range to restore the two-goal gap for Chelsea. At the stoppage time, Welbeck headed diagonally, completing a spectacular comeback and sealing a 6-3 victory.

After the match, Alonso admitted he was responsible for Chelsea's performance in the first half. The Spanish military leader believes that the players who were given the chance to start do not deserve criticism, because their performance did not reflect what the coaching staff expected.

The former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen coach also admitted that replacing up to nine players was a gamble, in the context of the Confederation Cup that could bring him a title in his first season leading Chelsea. "It's true that there are a lot of changes. It's a risk," Alonso said. "Things didn't go according to plan, so we had to change after the break. I was responsible for the first half."

On September 12, Chelsea continued to play at home against Hull City in round four of the Premier League.