Cole Palmer reveals Xabi Alonso half-time message that sparked Chelsea's Carabao Cup comeback

Cole Palmer was the driving force behind Chelsea's dramatic turnaround against Leeds in the Carabao Cup third round. The forward entered after the break and scored twice as the Blues overturned a two-goal deficit to complete a 6-3 victory at Stamford Bridge. Xabi Alonso's half-time changes flipped a game that had looked beyond Chelsea for much of the opening hour.

• Cole Palmer scored twice after coming off the bench and sparked the Chelsea comeback.
• Xabi Alonso made a four-player substitution at half-time that transformed the match.
• Chelsea trailed 2-0 before running out 6-3 winners against Leeds.
• Danny Welbeck added a brace and Valentin Barco scored his first goal for the club.
• The Blues have now scored 16 goals in five games under the Spanish manager.

What Xabi Alonso told his players at half-time

Chelsea went into the interval with a 1-0 deficit and a performance that had raised concerns about the squad's depth. Leeds had outplayed a heavily rotated home side for much of the first half. Palmer explained what Alonso demanded in the dressing room.

Up the intensity, play a bit more, come more alive because I think the first half was flat. Everyone agreed in the changing room, so we stepped up.

The forward admitted he had not seen a half like that for a while. He recognised the quality of Leeds and described it as a tough game, but stressed that the team needed to get through it and ultimately did.

How Chelsea turned the tie around against Leeds

Leeds opened the scoring after a costly error from goalkeeper Mike Penders. The young shot-stopper had produced two solid saves earlier in the match, but conceded a needless corner that Tarik Muharemovic headed into the net. Chelsea offered little in response and fell further behind when Brenden Aaronson struck early in the second half.

That was the moment Alonso acted. He introduced Reece James, Morgan Rogers, Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer at once, and the quartet rapidly shifted the momentum. Palmer converted a penalty to start the revival, and three Chelsea goals arrived in the space of six minutes. Palmer completed his brace, Neto made it 3-2 and Danny Welbeck added a fourth on the hour mark.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled one back for Leeds with a well-taken finish, but Chelsea were not done. Valentin Barco scored his first goal for the club and Welbeck headed a sixth in stoppage time to complete the scoring. The striker now has three goals for the Blues.

Chelsea forwards thriving under Xabi Alonso

Palmer made no secret of how much he is enjoying his football right now. Chelsea have scored 16 goals in five matches under Alonso and the attacking players appear to be relishing the system. Palmer singled out his teammates in the final third.

You can see I'm enjoying my football. Me and Morgz, Joao, all the attacking players, we're enjoying it.

Despite the impressive attacking numbers, the forward admitted there is still room for improvement. He pointed out that results are the most important thing at the moment and that the focus has already shifted to the next match.

What the Carabao Cup run means for Chelsea

The League Cup represents a realistic chance of silverware for a Chelsea side still finding its identity. Beating lower-league opposition was a requirement and the team delivered in the end despite a sluggish start. Reaching the fourth round keeps the club in contention for a trophy it has lifted several times over the years.

The win also restores confidence after the recent Premier League defeat against Arsenal. Hull visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday and defensive balance will be essential to build on the current momentum.

Chelsea's next match: Hull at home

There is no time to dwell on the comeback. Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge on Saturday to face Hull, and Palmer already has his eyes on that game. The priority is to keep winning and continue refining the team's play.

The Blues have now played five matches under Alonso and the attacking output provides plenty of reason for optimism. The challenge will be matching that goalscoring form with the kind of defensive solidity that prevents the scares seen in the opening 45 minutes against Leeds.