Chelsea player ratings vs Leeds: Supersubs deliver as fringe player grabs opportunity

Chelsea player ratings vs Leeds: Supersubs deliver as fringe player grabs opportunity

Blues into round four after west London thriller
Xabi Alonso press conference after Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea Football Newsletter

Chelsea came from two goals down to beat Leeds United 6-3 in a Stamford Bridge thriller to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round.

Xabi Alonso named a much-changed line-up but had to backtrack and make four substitutions at half time. That took the home side from 1-0 down to 2-0 down, before Cole Palmer’s penalty began a comeback.

Palmer scored a second, Pedro Neto added the Blues’ third, and Danny Welbeck their fourth. Leeds scored their third of the night to get back into it, but Valentin Barco then made it 5-3 and Welbeck six secure Alonso his passage into the fourth round in a memorable affair.

Dom Smith was at Stamford Bridge to rate the Chelsea players…

Beaten twice, but the Belgian made a world-class double save from an early corner which helps his rating shoot up.

Struggled on the night as the defence had a difficult outing.

Not his best performance since signing. Good in the air but was nudged out the way far too easily for Leeds’s second goal.

Didn’t have a good night out there on his return after being benched against Arsenal over a fitness concern.

Deservedly one of those hooked at half time, with the game passing him by in midfield.

Would have got a higher rating for his terrier-like display but lost the ball in the lead-up to Leeds’s second goal. Made amends for that by hammering in Chelsea’s fifth on the night.

Not the debut that the 16-year-old would have wanted. Made some important interceptions but was booked for a bad foul - and then hooked at the interval.

Didn’t pull up any trees and will have been disappointed by his limited impact. Taken off at the break.

Just as for Estevao, it was a frustrating night for the English winger, replaced early.

Double bubble: Danny Welbeck

Ran the line tirelessly and got his goals when getting across his marker to convert from a Morgan Rogers pullback and then getting fortunate as a late Barco shot popped up and allowed him to head in.

Inspired the comeback. Scored from the spot, then rolled in beautifully for 2-2 from open play. Nearly scored a third with a sweetly struck effort that was blocked. His second goal was a pearler.

Sublime performance from the £117million man. Registered four assists in one half. Enough said.

A very important part of Chelsea’s comeback win. Made blocks and tackles and passed responsibily.

Played well and got an important goal to put Chelsea ahead for the first time in the game. Tidy finish, too.

Not used: Martinez, Joao Pedro, Hato, Quenda

Original source Chelsea player ratings vs Leeds: Supersubs deliver as fringe player grabs opportunity

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