For the Premier League’s biggest clubs, this competition is usually an opportunity to blood youngsters and give fringe players valuable minutes.

However, only 35-year-old Danny Welbeck, who scored twice, emerged from the starters with a compelling case for more regular involvement.

Even Valentin Barco, despite scoring Chelsea‘s fifth goal, was partly at fault for Leeds‘ second and was among several players who repeatedly surrendered possession during a difficult first half.

Young attackers Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens suffered the disappointment of being substituted at half-time, while £40m signing Geovany Quenda, who joined from Sporting, did not add to his solitary substitute appearance for the club as he watched from the bench.

Midfielder Reggie Watson, making his debut at the age of 16, was also withdrawn at the break after being booked.

Alonso later said he would not take a “cynical” view as some on the outside might about the difference in level between his proven stars and Chelsea‘s back-up options.

He added: “I know that probably I have to take the right decisions for them to show their best level, so it’s something that I will analyse and learn from today.”

Advertisement

Nevertheless, reaching the fourth round is important for Chelsea.

It is not only about preserving their hopes of silverware in a season without European football, but Chelsea are also a club that need as many competitive fixtures as possible.

They have a 27-man squad, supported by a strong academy pipeline, and these matches are vital for keeping a large group of players engaged throughout the campaign.

There is an irony, then, that Palmer, Rogers and Chelsea‘s other established stars may have secured future opportunities for the very fringe players whose performances had put the club’s EFL Cup campaign at risk.

Third Rothesay Test, Edgbaston (day one of five)

Pakistan 133: Shakeel 43; Tongue 4-42, Robinson 3-15, Archer 3-25

England 156-4: Gay 60, Brook 52*

England are 23 runs ahead

Scorecard

England again demolished the dismal Pakistan batting to move on course for a 3-0 clean sweep on the opening day of the third Test at Edgbaston.

After ripping out the tourists for only 133, England already have an 23-run advantage on 156-4.

Advertisement

Following a week of turmoil in which Pakistan sent seven players home, called up seven more and changed their coach, the outcome was much the same as the first two Tests.

Though the dry pitch seemed good for batting, a moody morning sky convinced England captain Joe Root to field first and his new-look pace attack was outstanding once more.

Pakistan failed to reach 200 for the fifth consecutive innings, while none of the top five made double figures. Saud Shakeel at least managed 43 and the ineptitude of the top order was put into context by last-wicket pair Muhammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali adding 26 in 46 balls – the best partnership of the innings.

Josh Tongue bowled quickly for his 4-42, Ollie Robinson passed 100 Test wickets with his 3-15 and Jofra Archer claimed the remaining three scalps.

In truth, it was a disappointing and dispiriting spectacle, but Pakistan showed some fight with the ball, not least when rapid debutant Razaullah inflicted yet another lbw on Root to leave England 39-3.

Emilio Gay and Harry Brook steadied England, each making half-centuries in a stand of 104 that pushed the hosts into the lead.

Gay dragged on off Razaullah. His gritty 60 was impressive, if perhaps not enough to provide certainty around his place in a congested England batting line-up.

Advertisement

The FIA’s rules permit only one automobile club or national sporting authority per country.

Feldman’s letter demands that Ben Sulayem suspends Russia’s membership, re-imposes “strict restrictions on Russian athletes’ participation in international competitions”, and makes a statement that publicly declares, on behalf of the FIA, that “the forcible redistribution of sporting authority is unacceptable”.

The letter comes a week after Ukraine’s minister for youth and sport told BBC Sport the FIA was wrong to lift the ban on Russian competitors.

Matvii Bidnyi said: “The reasons why Russia was banned from international sports competition have not disappeared. Nothing changes and it became even worse.”

“Russia continues full-scale aggression against Ukraine. Belarus continues to provide military support to Russia. Ukrainian people are still being killed every day. And Russian attacks become more and more brutal.

“I don’t understand, and Ukrainian people and I know that all European people don’t understand what’s happened, why now we must make this policy softer.”

The ban on Russian and Belarusian competitors taking part in international motorsport events was imposed in February 2022, after Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine.

Advertisement

It was lifted on 3 August in a decision by the FIA’s world motorsport council. This followed the International Olympic Committee, with which the FIA is affiliated, lifting its own ban.

Other sporting authorities, such as World Athletics, have not followed suit.

The Russian Embassy in London said in a statement to BBC Sport last week: “Excluding Russian athletes from international competitions amounts to segregation based on nationality and is incompatible with the principles of the Olympic charter.

“The FIA’s decision to lift the restrictions on Russian competitors in international motorsport is a step in the right direction. It shows that common sense is gradually prevailing over political bias in major sporting federations.”

The FIA has been contacted for comment.