CHELSEA staged an admirable comeback as they beat Leeds 6-3 in a goalfest, with the second half substitutes making the difference.
Half-time sub Cole Palmer starred as he notched two in as many minutes to draw the Blues level early in the second half.
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The visitors found themselves 1-0 up after 23 minutes as new signing Tarik Muharemovic headed in from a corner.
And after his team were totally dominated in the first half, Xabi Alonso brought on regular starters Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Reece James and Pedro Neto.
Despite Leeds doubling their lead three minutes into the second period, they had completely lost it just 12 minutes later, as a Cole Palmer double and convincing finish from Neto put the Blues in control.
Five minutes later Danny Welbeck finished smartly, giving Chelsea one foot in the next round. And despite Leeds’ attempted fightback via Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Valentin Barco smashed in from Rogers’ cross to make sure of the result.
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Welbeck then grabbed his second of the game in the dying stages to give Chelsea 6.
Here is how SunSport reporter James Graham rated the players…
Mike Penders – 6
Made a great double save at start of the game before coming and not getting to the corner which led to Leeds’ first goal.
Levi Colwill – 6
Average performance – Chelsea concede three goals for second time this season already.
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Wednesday 9 September
Chelsea
6 – 3
LEC
Leeds
Tuesday 15 September
Peterborough
19:30
LEC
Barnsley
West Ham
19:45
LEC
Fulham
Reading
20:00
LEC
Brentford
Ipswich
20:00
LEC
Arsenal
Liverpool
20:00
LEC
Spurs
Wednesday 9 September
Chelsea
6 – 3
LEC
Leeds
Tuesday 8 September
Millwall
0 – 1
LEC
Newcastle
L Orient
1 – 3
LEC
Bradford
Bournemouth
4 – 0
LEC
Lincoln
Sunderland
1 – 0
LEC
Hull
Palace
3 – 0
LEC
Middlesbrough
Standings currently unavailable.
Looks slightly disjointed.
Maxence Lacroix – 6
Average performance – Chelsea concede three goals for second time this season already.
Looks slightly disjointed.
Josh Acheampong – 7
Best showing out of the back three – offers the Blues something offensively as well as looking solid at the back.
Malo Gusto – 5
Poor performance overall and was big part of Chelsea’s first half struggles – gave the ball away 11 times and hooked at half-time.
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Reggie Watson – 5
Unlucky debut in which he was thrown up against an experienced, strong Leeds midfield, saw himself booked in first half.
16-year-old debutant hooked at half-time.
Valentin Barco – 6
Largely unconvincing display in the middle, particularly in the first half as he gave the ball away 12 times.
However came out with a goal and assist in the end – clearly improved with half-time subs.
Pep Chavarria – 7
Solid enough at left wing-back, however, he had problems with Dan James.
Seemed to improve after subs came on.
Jamie Gittens – 6
Chelsea’s main attacking threat in what was a poor first half – lack of end product, hooked at half-time.
Estevao – 6
Attempted to create but was largely unable to in the first half – hooked at half-time.
Welbeck – 7
Got next-to-no service in the first half but linked up well on the rare occasions that Chelsea got it forward.
Scored a very well-taken goal to give Chelsea daylight – that’s three goals from two starts for Danny Welbeck at the Blues.
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Subs
Reece James (for Reggie Watson 46) – 7
Brought control to what was a chaotic midfield in the first half.
Pedro Neto (for Estevao 46) – 7
Was part of the star substitutes putting away a fantastic finish on the hour mark.
Looked much more exciting and positive than the first half showing from his team-mates.
Cole Palmer (for Jamie Gittens 46) – 9
Came on at half-time and took just eight minutes to get on the scoresheet, before drawing Chelsea level two minutes later.
Instrumental to the Blues’ attack once again and showed the difference between the starters and the subs.
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Morgan Rogers (for Malo Gusto 46) – 8
Was central to Chelsea’s second half resurgence as he notched three assists after replacing Malo Gusto.
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He looks inevitable at the moment.
Wesley Fofana (for Colwill 76) – 7
Did nothing wrong – played 15 minutes.