Chelsea came from two goals down to beat Leeds United 6-3 at Stamford Bridge and reach the last 16 of the Carabao Cup. Cole Palmer and Danny Welbeck both scored twice in a remarkable second-half turnaround.
Leeds dominate first half
Leeds controlled the opening period and took the lead before the half-hour mark. Tarik Muharemovic latched onto a cross from Harry Wilson to break the deadlock, leaping above Malo Gusto at the back post. Goalkeeper Mike Penders had made several good saves from corners before the opener.
Brenden Aaronson doubled Leeds' advantage shortly after the break, smashing the ball past Penders from close range.
Four substitutions spark comeback
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso made four substitutions at half-time, bringing on Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Reece James, and Pedro Neto. The changes transformed the game. Chelsea won a penalty moments after Leeds' second goal following a foul on Pep Chavarria inside the box.
Palmer halved the deficit from 12 yards, then curled a second into the bottom left-hand corner from just outside the box. Pedro Neto then made it 3-2, bending the ball into the same corner after Rogers' tackle set him up.
Welbeck and Barco seal victory
Welbeck gave Chelsea breathing space, tucking the ball beneath goalkeeper Michael Zetterer after Rogers picked him out. Leeds substitute Noah Okafor set up Dominic Calvert-Lewin to narrow the gap, but Valentin Barco restored Chelsea's two-goal lead with a fine strike before Welbeck headed his second at the death.
Chelsea have now won 21 of their last 23 League Cup ties.
