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Xabi Alonso conceded he made it “too difficult” for his Chelsea players after a starting XI showing nine changes went two goals down against Leeds before storming back to win 6-3 in the Carabao Cup third round. A topsy-turvy game at Stamford Bridge saw Alonso’s second string dominated by the visitors who led 1-0 at the break, with the pattern of the first half pointing toward a Blues squad lacking in depth and once again defensively brittle. Cole Palmer was at the head of four half-time changes and, after Leeds had doubled their lead minutes after the re-start, it was the England forward who brought control to a match that was slipping away, scoring twice in two minutes – the first a penalty – before fellow substitute Pedro Neto completed a six-minute turnaround. “I take responsibility,” said Alonso after backtracking on his decision to leave out his star players. “No player to blame, it’s a decision that we took. “First half things were not going the way we wanted. When you do not have time to work with (the squad players), it’s difficult to compete at this level. It’s my responsibility. “We need to analyse, but happy that we are going through, happy with the reaction.” Morgan Rogers was another introduction at the break and he contributed three assists, including one for Danny Welbeck who made it 4-2 on the hour. Dominic Calvert-Lewin got one back, adding to the earlier goals scored by Tarik Muharemovic and Brenden Aaronson, then Valentin Barco confirmed Leeds would be exiting the competition by netting his first Blues goal, before Welbeck headed a sixth. “I will have a deeper assessment about how I can help players that aren’t playing that much to have a better impact, to have a better feeling,” said Alonso. That is how you make an impact. ⚡️#CFC | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/v5zBIFK18S — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 9, 2026 “Today it was difficult for them. Maybe I made it too difficult. But you need to react and take decisions. The impact was good from the players that came on. “I need to take my own blame and my own responsibility. I need to be able to help them better so they are not responsible.” Alonso was asked whether the game was evidence that he does not have sufficient strength in depth despite bringing in 10 first-team players during the transfer window. “I prefer not to take that cynical way,” he said. “I know I probably haven’t taken the right decisions for them to show their best levels. It’s something I will analyse and learn from.” Leeds boss Daniel Farke reflected on a tie that turned on the decision to award a penalty against his team at 2-0 when Dan James stood on the foot of Pep Chavarria. “A crazy, nuts game,” he said. “It sometimes happens in the cup with so many changes on both sides. “A very commanding performance, I thought we deserved to be in the lead. We had more possession than Chelsea, better expected goals, more shots. “No-one in the stadium, not one Chelsea player was asking for a penalty. Once they score the first goal, the whole body language was different. The stadium wakes up for the first time.”