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Watford boss Alessio Dionisi gambled by making 11 changes – and the move backfired as League One Peterborough stormed into the third round of the Carabao Cup with a stunning 5-1 victory. Dionisi, with an eye on Saturday’s home Championship clash with West Ham, fielded a back four made up entirely of debutants. That young defence was exposed when the Posh went ahead in the 10th minute with an own goal by centre-back James Clarridge, who turned Bolu Shofowoke’s right-wing cross into the net. Peterborough, who made six changes themselves, doubled their lead in the 23rd minute. Martin Payero lost possession in the home half, Vernon Masara fired in a shot from the left which goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann parried, and Harry Leonard pounced to score. A potential upset turned into humiliation as the Posh scored twice in the first 10 minutes of the second half. First, Ben Woods split the crumbling home defence with a through-ball to Leonard, who scored right-footed in the 51st minute. Then Shofuwoke made it 4-0 from close range before Harrison Jones scored the fifth with an angled shot in the 64th minute. Watford, with five first-teamers on as substitutes, finally scored in the 73rd minute when striker Mamadou Doumbia headed home.