Chelsea 3-2 Leeds: Conor Gallagher strikes late as Mauricio Pochettino’s side progress to FA Cup quarter-final

Conor Gallagher’s last-gasp goal ensured Chelsea beat Leeds United 3-2 to set up an FA Cup quarter-final tie against Leicester City.

Gallagher, along with Cole Palmer and Ben Chilwell, was one of the star names rested by Mauricio Pochettino for Wednesday’s tie with the in-form Championship side, as Chelsea looked to bounce back from their defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

But he was called on from the bench to grab the winner after Mateo Joseph’s second goal of the game had dragged Leeds level just before the hour mark.

Joseph headed in from Jaidon Anthony’s cross to double up on his first senior goal, which opened the scoring in the ninth minute.

Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk put Chelsea ahead by half-time, but the Blues ultimately had to rely on Gallagher to get the job done in the dying embers.

Sloppy Chelsea defending gifted Daniel James a fantastic chance to put Leeds ahead in the eighth minute, only for the winger to skew wide, though Leeds did not pass up their next opportunity as, from the resulting goal-kick, Anthony robbed Moises Caicedo of possession and Joseph calmly finished.

Leeds’ lead lasted just six minutes – Caicedo atoning for his mistake with a neat pass into the path of Jackson, who slotted across Illan Meslier – and Chelsea turned matters around completely when Mudryk capped off a fine team move shortly before half-time.

Yet instead of building any momentum, Chelsea handed the initiative to Leeds after the break, and were duly punished as Joseph headed in from Anthony’s deep cross.

Joseph just failed to react to a loose ball in the six-yard box as Leeds – buoyed on by 3,500 travelling fans – pressed for the upset, but with the game ebbing towards extra time, Enzo Fernandez played in Gallagher, who got it out of his feet before lifting a powerful effort over Meslier to send the eight-time FA Cup winners through.

With so much expenditure, Chelsea should be confident of winning a home tie against a second-tier side – albeit Leeds are in fine form – without having to turn to their key attacking players.

Yet Gallagher and Palmer were required in the end, and Pochettino must be concerned with how poorly his team played for much of the second half. The Blues have received plenty of criticism for their performance in extra time against Liverpool on Sunday, and Pochettino has to find a way to get some consistency into his side. If not, his job could be under threat.

In his 20th appearance for the club in all competitions, England youth international Joseph grabbed his first goals for Leeds. He was a constant nuisance up front, and very nearly made it a hat-trick. The future’s bright.

Chelsea: Sanchez 5, Gusto 5, Chalobah 5, Disasi 4, Gilchrist 5, Fernandez 7, Caicedo 7, Mudryk 7, Sterling 6, Madueke 6, Jackson 6. Subs: Palmer 6, Chilwell 6, Gallagher 8, Colwill 6, Tauriainen 6.

Leeds: Meslier 5, Roberts 7, Rodon 7, Cooper 6, Firpo 7, Gray 8, Ampadu 6, James 6, Piroe 6, Anthony 8, Joseph 9*. Subs: Summerville 6, Gnonto 6.

9’ – GOAL!!! Chelsea 0-1 Leeds United (Joseph): What a shocker for Chelsea! This has been a dismal start from the Blues and now they are behind! Disasi puts Caicedo in trouble, and the £115million-man is shrugged off the ball in Chelsea's area. Joseph gets onto the loose ball, and slams a finish beyond Sanchez. What a start for Leeds! Their fans are in dreamland.

15’ – GOAL!!! Chelsea 1-1 Leeds United (Jackson): It's all square at Stamford Bridge, and that's better from Chelsea! The hosts keep up a solid spell of pressure, which eventually results in Caicedo atoning for his earlier error with a neat pass in behind for Jackson, who calmly slots beyond Meslier from a tight angle.

37’ – GOAL!!! Chelsea 2-1 Leeds United (Mudryk): That one has quietened the Leeds fans down! Madueke leads a Chelsea counter, with the ball worked out to Gusto, who slips a good pass into Sterling. The former Manchester City forward drills a brilliant cutback into the centre of the box, where Mudryk is waiting to slam home. A great team goal, and Chelsea have the lead!

59’ – GOAL!!! Chelsea 2-2 Leeds United (Joseph): It's all square, and it's Joseph again for Leeds! What a night he is having! Ampadu sends a long ball over to Anthony, who takes a great touch and then floats in a quite sublime cross towards the back post, where Joseph is in acres of space to meet it and head home. Awful defending, but a fantastic move from Leeds.

90’ – GOAL!!! Chelsea 3-2 Leeds United (Gallagher): That's surely the winner for Chelsea?! Fernandez finds space in midfield and threads a clever ball into Gallagher, who controls it before firing high down the middle of the net. Chelsea take the lead in the last minute of normal time!

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