JOIN USChelsea brought a ray of light to a largely miserable December when they reached the League Cup semifinals after a 5-1 triumph at second tier Leeds United on Wednesday.
The Londoners went a goal down before storming back to set up a last-four tie with Swansea City. Leeds went ahead on 37 minutes through Luciano Becchio after Chelsea defender David Luiz had again charged up field and lost the ball. Chelsea struck back through Juan Mata just after the break when his shot from the edge of the box following a fine move foxed the goalkeeper.
Branislav Ivanovic headed in Frank Lampard's corner at the near post to make it 2-1 on 64 minutes and forward Victor Moses soon increased the lead when he fired in after a mazy run. Eden Hazard then latched on to David Luiz's long pass before Fernando Torres completed the scoring for a strong Chelsea lineup, who host Villa in the Premier League on Sunday lying third.
Swansea, Villa and fourth tier Bradford City had already progressed to the last four last week as they chase England's secondary knockout trophy which provides a Europa League berth.
Napoli humbled
Holders Napoli, already reeling after being deduced two Serie A points for match-fixing, were knocked out of the Italian Cup last 16 after suffering a last-gasp 1-2 home defeat by Bologna on Wednesday.
Edinson Cavani gave the hosts a 12th-minute lead but Cristian Pasquato on 38 minutes and Panagiotis Kone in stoppage time helped Bologna set up a last-eight clash with Inter Milan.