Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso accepted full responsibility after his heavily rotated side fell two goals behind against Leeds United before roaring back to win 6-3 in the Carabao Cup third round at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso: I Made It Too Difficult for Chelsea’s Fringe Players
Alonso made nine changes to his starting XI, and the decision initially backfired as Leeds controlled the first half and took a 1-0 lead into the break. The Blues looked short of depth and vulnerable at the back.
Alonso then introduced Cole Palmer at half-time as part of four changes. Leeds doubled their lead shortly after the restart, but Palmer seized control.
He scored twice in two minutes, converting a penalty before finishing another chance. Pedro Neto, another substitute, completed a six-minute turnaround that swung the tie.
Morgan Rogers also came on at the break and delivered three assists. One set up Danny Welbeck, who made it 4-2 on the hour.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled one back for Leeds, adding to earlier goals from Tarik Muharemovic and Brenden Aaronson. Valentin Barco then scored his first Chelsea goal, and Welbeck headed a sixth.
Alonso said he took responsibility and blamed no player. He admitted his squad players lacked time to prepare and found it hard to compete at that level.
He said he may have made the task too difficult for them, but praised the impact of his substitutes and the reaction. He pledged to analyse how he can help fringe players perform better.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke called the match crazy and chaotic. He felt his team produced a commanding performance and deserved its lead, with more possession, better expected goals and more shots.
He argued no one in the stadium appealed for the penalty when Dan James stepped on Pep Chavarria’s foot. Once Chelsea scored, he said, the body language changed and the stadium woke up.
