MORGAN ROGERS delivered a hat-trick of assists as Xabi Alonso’s cavalry rescued Chelsea from a Carabao Cup nightmare.
Alonso hit the panic button at half-time, with the Blues 1-0 down thanks to goals from Tarik Murahemovic, only for Leeds to score again moments later through Brenden Aaronson.
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But his super-subs sparked a comeback, firing four goals in 11 crazy minutes to eventually seal a 5-3 thriller at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso gambled early, starting 16-year-old Reggie Watson – Chelsea’s fourth-youngest player ever – while resting his ‘CPR’ frontline of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, and Rogers.
By the break, the Blues were flatlining and desperately needed resuscitation.
Enter Dr. Palmer.
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The first half was a tale of two teams, as Leeds looked gritty and ruthless, while Chelsea’s expensive show-ponies were all stepovers and no substance.
Young Blues keeper Mike Penders produced two stunning saves to keep Leeds at bay, but was powerless when £34million defender Murahemovic nodded home Harry Wilson’s deep corner, which left new set piece coach Austin MacPhee practically spitting his words into the Stamford Bridge turf.
Danny Welbeck saw a golden chance blocked by Jaka Bijol before Alonso’s disjointed side trudged down the tunnel to a chorus of groans from players and fans alike.
The Blues were all bark and no bite, until Alonso unleashed the big dogs.
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Saturday 12 September
Bournemouth
15:00
EPL
Brentford
Villa
15:00
EPL
Forest
Chelsea
15:00
EPL
Hull
Palace
15:00
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Ipswich
Liverpool
15:00
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Fulham
Spurs
17:30
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Everton
Sunderland
20:00
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Arsenal
Sunday 6 September
Arsenal
2 – 1
EPL
Chelsea
Everton
2 – 2
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Man Utd
Saturday 5 September
Hull
0 – 0
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Villa
Forest
0 – 0
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Man City
1 – 0
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Coventry
Fulham
2 – 3
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Palace
English Premier League
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9
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0
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7
3
2
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4
3
6
1
2
0
1
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6
3
5
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1
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0
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3
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0
8
3
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2
1
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0
Throwing on Palmer, Rogers, Reece James, and Pedro Neto felt more like a hope and a prayer than a masterstroke from Alonso, but it was a prayer that was answered – with a slight delay…
Ex-Blues academy kid Ethan Ampadu tore down the right early in the second half, feeding Lukas Nmecha to flick past Maxence Lacroix for Brenden Aaronson to tap home.
It felt like game over, until Cole Palmer stepped up to the penalty spot.
Daniel James clumsily felled Pep Chavarria in the box, and Palmer coolly converted the 53rd-minute penalty before wheeling off in celebration with his trademark shivering move.
Just two minutes later, he stroked a silky half-volley into the bottom corner to level the scoring.
Neto fired home a third to complete the turnaround, before Rogers grabbed his treble of assists by teeing up Welbeck to nutmeg new Leeds keeper Michael Zetterer for number four.
Leeds tried to mount a late comeback when Calvert Lewin found the back of the net with 15 minutes to go, but the Blues shut them down once again.
World Cup villain Valentin Barco was already unpopular with the Leeds fans, as he had his every touch booed for his antics in the summer against England.
He left Stamford Bridge popular with the home supporters though, with his 80th-minute strike securing the Blues’ fifth and final goal.
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