YORK-BORN Niall Huggins has made his debut for Sunderland in a 3-2 win at Blackpool in the Carabao Cup, writes Martin Jarred.

The 20-year-old right-back had joined the Black Cats on a permanent a week previously after leaving Leeds United.

He had been at the Elland Road Academy since 2009.

Meanwhile, patience proved a virtue for Leeds as three late goals saw them overcome a spirited Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup at a sold-out Elland Road.

The wasteful Whites finally made their dominance count on 79 minutes when captain on the night Kalvin Phillips slotted home after the League One side failed to deal with a corner.

Jack Harrison then added two more in the final five minutes to give the scoreline a more realistic look.

In the end, it was a satisfactory night for Leeds with victory, a first clean sheet of the season, an hour’s run-out for injury-hit midfielder Adam Forshaw after nearly two years out of action, and good 45-minute display by defender Diego Llorente, who missed the start of the season.

But it was not all roses as some bench players got an opportunity to shine but did not make a case to start against Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday. Helder Costa looked short of confidence, record-signing Rodrigo failed to stamp his authority on the game and Tyler Roberts, given a start in attack, made little impact.

It was only when Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa summoned striker Patrick Bamford from the bench that Leeds found a cutting edge against a tiring, overworked Crewe defence.

Bamford set up Harrison for a neat dinked finish on 85 minutes and as the game ticked into overtime, Bamford had a hand in Harrison lashing in the third after a good stop by goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen from Roberts.

Bielsa made six changes but still fielded a strong side for the second-round tie.

“Every player that played did so and justified why,” he said. "Some because they had played less in pre-season, some others were coming back from injury.

“We took a very long time to score, we missed a lot of chances. It was a very contested game, even if they didn’t create a lot. (Crewe's) initial formation, it took us the start of the game to accommodate to it.”

Crewe had looked comfortable in the opening half-hour but once Leeds got the measure of their five-at-the-back system chances came – and went – at regular intervals.

Winger Ian Poveda, 21, has left Leeds for a season-long loan at Blackburn Rovers.

Leeds United: Meslier, Firpo, Forshaw (Klich 61), Roberts, Llorente (Ayling HT), Costa, Rodrigo (Bamford 69), Struijk, Harrison, Phillips, Shackleton. Subs (not used): Klaesson, Dallas, Cresswell, Summerville.

Crewe Alexandra: Jaaskelainen, Ramsay, Adebisi, Thomas, Knight (Johnson 76), Mandron, Finney (Ainley 69), McFadzean, Murphy (Griffiths 89), Lundstram, Sass-Davies. Subs (not used): Richards, MacDonald, Porter, Daniels. Cautions: Adebisi, Mandron, Murphy

Referee: Benjamin Speedie Att: 34,154