Where’s the fun in doing it the easy way? Chelsea remain chaotic at the back but can drag their opponents into horrible places. It helps, mind you, to have some assistance from the referee. Jarred Gillett and Cole Palmer? They made for a killer combination as Chelsea swerved embarrassment and treated Stamford Bridge to one of life’s rarities: a classic in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Gillett, a referee who always seems to be guessing when he makes key calls, was the villain as far as Leeds were concerned. They had just gone 2-0 up when Gillett altered the flow of the tie by pointing to the spot after Pep Chavarría made the most of slight contact from Daniel James. The subsequent conversion from Palmer was inevitable and from there so was the comeback from Chelsea, who rattled through four goals in 12 minutes before eventually reaching the last 16 by winning 6-3.
It made little sense. It could have gone down as Xabi Alonso’s first misjudgment as Chelsea’s manager. The Carabao Cup is important given the Spaniard’s side are not in Europe, but his rotation almost backfired. Chelsea were shambolic after making nine changes – the 16-year-old debutant Reggie Watson was overrun in midfield while Estêvão Willian and Jamie Gittens struggled in attack – and Alonso was in emergency mode when he made a quadruple change at half-time.
“I take responsibility,” Alonso said. “No player is to blame. It’s the decisions we took. When you don’t have this time to work with them, it’s difficult to compete at this level. I need to take my own blame for the things that happen. I need to be able to help them better. They are not responsible. After you need to react and think what’s better for the team.”
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Championship: Ten-man West Brom win at Derby to go top
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West Bromwich Albion held on for a memorable 1-0 victory over Derby at Pride Park, after playing for more than an hour with 10 men. Aune Heggebø’s early goal proved enough to take the Baggies top of the table, despite Brayann Pereira being dismissed on his debut after collecting two first-half yellow cards.
Derby had started the stronger, but West Brom swept downfield to score in the 16th minute, Jimmy-Jay Morgan whipping in a low cross from the left which Heggebø [pictured] finished at the near post. The visitors were rocked by the dismissal of Pereira in the 34th minute, as he was shown a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Charlie Taylor.
The hosts went close just before half-time when David Ozoh flashed a low ball across the six-yard box with no white shirt able to turn it in. Derby should have levelled in the 68th minute but Lars-Jørgen Salvesen headed over from Joe Ward’s cross. Late on, Nat Phillips made a great clearance after a late goalmouth scramble, summing up a performance full of grit and resolve.
James Morrison’s side move above West Ham to top the Championship table with 13 points from six games. Either Charlton or QPR could have joined them on 13 points, but the sides played out a stalemate at the Valley. Derby, meanwhile, slipped into the bottom three with their fourth defeat in six games.
Norwich moved up to ninth in the table as they edged past visitors Birmingham 2-1 to make it three wins in four league games. Oscar Schwartau’s screamer opened the scoring, the young Dane lashing an unstoppable right-footed drive past James Beadle from 25 yards out.
Papa Diallo’s first goal for the Canaries doubled their advantage before the break, as the Senegal winger sidefooted home from Andre Brooks’ cross. Carlos Vicente pulled a goal back for the visitors, but wasted a glorious chance to equalise near the end as Chris Davies’ men suffered their first league defeat this season. Press Association
Equally Alonso can take credit for responding. His moves were decisive. Reece James offered security after replacing Watson and Pedro Neto scored after coming on for Malo Gusto, who could barely complete a pass during a wretched first half. Leeds, beaten at this stage for the 14th time in 18 years, were overwhelmed once their lead was halved. Morgan Rogers and Palmer were devastating after replacing Estêvão and Gittens. Rogers had a hand in four goals and Palmer, who scored twice, seemed affronted by the notion of Leeds going through.
It finished as another thrilling attacking display from Chelsea, who have scored 16 goals in Alonso’s first five games. There are flaws to fix at the other end, though. Leeds also experimented, Daniel Farke making eight changes, but controlled the first half. They led when the Bosnia and Herzegovina centre-back Tarik Muharemovic, signed from Sassuolo last summer, headed Harry Wilson’s corner past Mike Penders in the 23rd minute.
Chelsea have already conceded 10 goals in all competitions. Leeds could have doubled their lead through Sean Longstaff. Valentín Barco and Watson, son of the former Wigan midfielder Ben Watson, were second best in midfield.
Leeds were on their way when Barco lost possession three minutes into the second half. Ethan Ampadu charged past Rogers and found Lukas Nmecha, who teed up Brenden Aaronson to make it 2-0.
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Chelsea needed a lift. Chavarría crossed from the left and went to ground. Gillett whistled and Palmer scored with 53 minutes played. “He gave out of nothing a penalty where it wasn’t even a chance for them,” Farke said. “A quality player scores and the body language of the Chelsea players was different.”
Palmer was in his element, equalising in the 55th minute after Rogers laid the ball off for his pal to stroke a casual finish past Michael Zetterer from 20 yards. Chelsea were rampant and led on the hour, Palmer and Rogers combining for Neto to finish well. Leeds looked dizzy. They readied the changes but Danny Welbeck made it 4-2 with a sharp turn and finish in the 65th minute.
Leeds kept fighting. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and pulled one back to remind Alonso of Chelsea’s defensive weaknesses. Chelsea responded, Rogers crossing for Barco to score his first goal for the club. The sixth followed, Barco’s mis-hit shot diverted in by Welbeck. “A crazy nuts game,” Farke said. That’s been the way for Chelsea under Alonso.
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