Chelsea fought back from two goals down to beat Leeds 6-3 as Cole Palmer and Danny Welbeck rescued the Blues in a League Cup third-round classic on Wednesday.
Xabi Alonso’s side were in danger of crashing out following Tarik Muharemovic’s first-half opener and a Brenden Aaronson goal soon after the interval at Stamford Bridge.
But Alonso sent on England forward Palmer, along with Morgan Rogers, Pedro Neto and Reece James, at halftime, and the decision inspired Chelsea’s stirring escape act.
Palmer struck twice to haul Chelsea level, and Neto put them ahead before Welbeck made it four.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin got one back for Leeds, but Valentin Barco and Welbeck netted to ensure Chelsea moved into the fourth round in style.
Losing 2-1 at Premier League champions Arsenal on Sunday had ended Alonso’s three-game winning start to his reign.
But the Chelsea boss got back on track with the kind of chaotic victory that has defined his brief spell in charge.
Chelsea have scored 16 goals in Alonso’s first five matches to showcase their attacking talent.
But they have conceded 10 to prove the defensive issues that plagued them last season have not gone away since Alonso’s arrival.
Despite spending £349 million ($472 million) during the transfer window, Chelsea ended the Arsenal game with James and Malo Gusto – two players who are usually right-backs – operating in central midfield.
Alonso fielded another untested alignment in the midfield engine room as teenage debut Reggie Watson lined up alongside Argentine youngster Barco.
The 16-year-old Watson – the fourth youngest player in Chelsea’s history – is the son of Ben Watson, who scored Wigan’s FA Cup final winner against Manchester City in 2013.
Alonso’s decision to make nine changes was in danger of backfiring when Leeds went in front from a 23rd-minute corner.