Leeds were already without Pascal Struijk and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and found themselves behind at Stamford Bridge when Palmer slotted through for Joao Pedro's 24th-minute opener.

Palmer and Joao Pedro could have added further goals in a one-sided first half, though the pair soon combined in the final 45 minutes to edge Liam Rosenior's side further ahead.

A mindless Jaka Bijol shove on the Brazilian striker allowed Palmer to convert from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, though that inspired Leeds's fightback.

Jayden Bogle surged into the area from the right-hand side, and after he was felled by an ill-timed Moises Caicedo challenge, Lukas Nmecha made no mistake from the penalty spot by finding the left-hand corner.

Bogle then bundled his way through once again six minutes later, with Robert Sanchez failing to claim the loose ball and substitute Noah Okafor converting into an empty net after Nmecha's touch found him.

Having been stunned by the leveller that survived a VAR check for handball against Bogle, Pedro Neto's cross fizzed just wide of the bottom corner before Joao Pedro nodded over in response.

Palmer should have snatched victory back in the fourth minute of stoppage time, but somehow lifted over an open goal after Caicedo's low delivery found him unmarked inside the six-yard area.