Leeds United threw away a two-goal lead to lose 6-3 in their Carabao Cup third round clash at Chelsea on Wednesday night. Tarik Muharemovic and Brenden Aaronson gave the Whites a commanding lead before the home side scored four without reply, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s late strike quickly countered by a Chelsea fifth.
Leeds opened the scoring after a brief spell of set-piece pressure, with Harry Wilson’s second inswinging corner in quick succession finding Muharemovic to head home at the back post. The Whites then came flying out of the blocks after half-time with Aaronson turning in Ethan Ampadu’s cross for 2-0.
But just a few minutes later, Chelsea had a penalty when Daniel James fouled Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer converted. The substitute then grabbed a quickfire second with a curled finish after losing Sean Longstaff easily.
Neto completed the turnaround to make t 3-2 with a curling finish after a loose ball was picked up by Chelsea in midfield with Danny Welbeck netting a fourth not long after. But Leeds weren’t done, with substitutes Noah Okafor and Calvert-Lewin combining for the latter to make it 4-3.
But Chelsea bounced back again, Morgan Rogers crossing for Barco to finish at the back post. Welbeck then grabbed his second and the home side’s sixth deep into added-time.
Here are your Leeds United player ratings...
1. GK: Michael Zetterer
6 - Good near-post save to deny Gittens at 1-0. Couldn't do much about the Chelsea goals, maybe Welbeck's first. | AFP via Getty Images
2. CB: James Justin
6 - Great early block to deny Estevao a clear shot on goal. On his heels when Welbeck made it 4-2. | AFP via Getty Images
3. CB: Jaka Bijol
5 - Won every long or aerial ball early on. Frustrated Farke a bit in possession. Caught out of position a couple of times too. Done by Welbeck for Chelsea's fourth. | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
4. CB: Tarik Muharemovic
7 - Rose brilliantly to head home the opener at the back post. Sprayed a couple of lovely passes out to James. Couldn't arrest the slump as Chelsea came flying out in the second half. | AFP via Getty Images
5. RWB: Daniel James
6 - Got up and down the right-hand side plenty and delivered a few good crosses. Gave away a penalty at 2-0 for a foul on Neto. | Getty Images
6. CM: Ethan Ampadu
7 - Won the ball well and drove down the right for Aaronson's goal. Did both the tackles and driving forward a fair bit. | Getty Images