Conor Gallagher keeps his nerve as Chelsea beat Leeds to reach last eight

This time nobody could accuse them of being “blue billion-pound bottle jobs”. Chelsea answered the questions about their character at the decisive moment, Enzo Fernández finally accepting responsibility and producing a lovely assist for Conor Gallagher to send them through to the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Yet this was far from convincing. Edgy after their extra-time defeat against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, Chelsea could not have complained if Leeds had gone through to face Leicester. The visitors were superior for long spells and the worry for Mauricio Pochettino will be that his side are still crying out for an ­identity. Even the home fans at a sullen Stamford Bridge had to admit that the Championship team played the slicker football.

The first meeting between these sides in this competition since the 1970 final began with Chelsea struggling to rid themselves of the lethargy that afflicted them against Liverpool. For Pochettino, who prides himself on loud and energetic football, it must have stung to see such ­timidity against second-tier opposition. He would wait patiently for Chelsea to remember that they had £220m worth of talent in midfield.

The early stages were awkward. Automatic promotion is the priority for Leeds, who made five changes from their victory against ­Leicester, but they were motivated. It was clear that they fancied their chances of hurting Chelsea with a high press, even though Georginio Rutter was unavailable and Wilfried Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville and Patrick Bamford were on the bench.

The opening goal was a case in point. Leeds had just gone close through Dan James thanks to poor defending from Alfie Gilchrist, Ben Chilwell’s 20-year-old deputy at left-back. Chelsea needed to be alert. From the resulting goal-kick, though, they played themselves into trouble when Robert Sánchez, a goalkeeper hardly renowned for his distribution, knocked a short pass to Axel Disasi. Leeds could smell blood. Disasi, who lacks poise in possession, did Caicedo few favours with a slow pass. Equally, though, opponents seem to have noticed a weakness in Caicedo’s game when he receives the ball in a deep position. Leeds immediately pinned the £115m ­midfielder and Chelsea were ­punished when Mateo Joseph fired past Sánchez.

Gary Neville’s jibes must have been ringing in Chelsea’s ears. Would they shrink again? The answer soon arrived. Caicedo responded after linking with Noni Madueke in the final third. A fine pass sent Nicolas Jackson through and the striker equalised with an angled finish.

The challenge for Chelsea is producing those flourishes more con­sistently. They led in the 37th ­minute, Madueke dancing inside from the left, Sterling cutting the ball back for Mudryk to sweep home, but there was little pattern to their play. Mudryk, playing in the No 10 role, was far less refined in possession than the rested Cole Palmer. The defence did not look secure.

Leeds were in it. Archie Gray and Ethan Ampadu, facing his former club, were holding their own against Caicedo and Fernández. It was almost 2-2 when Jaidon Anthony shot narrowly wide from long range.

Chelsea sat back at the start of the second half, challenging Leeds to break them down. Gray, so bold and elegant on the ball, grew in influence for the visitors. Chelsea had to find a way of stepping up, of imposing themselves, but their momentum was draining away. Even their counterattacks lacked conviction and it was not a surprise when Leeds equalised. Anthony, moving away from Malo Gusto, crossed from the left and Joseph headed past Sánchez after losing Trevoh Chalobah.

Pochettino responded by ­bringing on Chilwell and Gallagher. Still, though, Chelsea strained for belief. It was Leeds who offered the poise. They were the side with a clear and established way of playing. Everything from Chelsea felt improvised.

Leeds pressed, Joseph almost heading in his third. Chelsea needed Palmer’s brains. There was a huge cheer when the playmaker came on for Sterling, who endured the indignity of being booed off for the second consecutive home game.

Yet Leeds remained on top, their belief rising when Gnonto and Summerville came on. The latter soon threatened, his shot going over, and he also wasted a ­presentable chance after an error from Fernández. Chelsea were relieved the winger overhit his pass to Gnonto.

They had time to avoid extra time. Added time beckoned when ­Fernández finally began to resemble a world champion. He slalomed in from the left, beat a couple of challenges and threaded a beautiful pass to ­Gallagher, whose rising finish helped Chelsea to avert another crisis.