Chelsea's Professional Display Secures Comfortable FA Cup Progress
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior hailed his team's exceptional professionalism and work ethic as they secured a comprehensive 4-0 victory over his former club Hull City in the FA Cup fourth round. The Premier League side delivered a commanding performance at the MKM Stadium, with Pedro Neto's hat-trick and a goal from Brazilian winger Estevao ensuring safe passage to the next stage of the competition.
Neto's Brilliance and Rosenior's Return
Pedro Neto was the standout performer, netting three times including a remarkable second goal scored directly from a corner kick. Estevao added the fourth as Chelsea dominated Championship promotion-chasers Hull throughout the match. Rosenior, making his first return to the club where he served as both player and manager, emphasized that the application and intensity of his team were the most impressive aspects of their display.
"The overall positive thing was the application of the team," Rosenior stated. "Our pressing, our intensity, our work rate and Pedro exemplified that, to be honest. That's why he scores the goals that he does. I'm very lucky to have such talented players. What I'm really realising quickly is they're not good players, they're outstanding professionals."
The Chelsea boss continued: "It was a really professional performance against a very good team, who are pushing for the Premier League. This is not an easy game, and some of our football was everything I want to see. But before that, the values of what the team stood for tonight made me a very happy coach."
Missed Opportunities and Promotion Hopes
Despite the convincing scoreline, Chelsea spurned several first-half chances, with Rory Delap and Estevao particularly guilty of missing opportunities. Hull City, managed by Sergej Jakirovic, never seriously threatened an upset, though they currently sit fourth in the Championship and are just five points off the automatic promotion places.
Rosenior expressed his hope that his former club can achieve Premier League promotion this season. "The spirit and the character of the team and their threat in transition," he noted. "I really hope it happens. So I wish them all the best. It's so nice to see so many really welcoming faces here and I think the manager is doing a fantastic job."
Managerial Perspectives and Match Analysis
Both managers made significant changes to their lineups, with Rosenior making seven alterations and Jakirovic making six, partly with an eye on Hull's crucial promotion campaign. The Bosnian manager acknowledged Chelsea's superior quality was evident throughout the match.
"It's difficult, because we played against Chelsea," Jakirovic admitted. "I think we gave everything today. Towards the end, I think that we deserved one goal. We had a few nice chances and I said to Rosenior that we deserved the goal and of course, he agreed."
Lewis Koumas came closest to a consolation for Hull when his late low effort struck the post. Jakirovic praised his players' effort: "Congratulations to my players. Maybe if we play our next games like this, with this passion, energy, intensity, that we are complicated, that we are tactically good, that we can be much higher in the table."
Condemnation of Discriminatory Chanting
The match was marred by abusive chanting from a section of home supporters, with both head coaches strongly condemning the behavior. Stadium announcements were made at halftime and again in the 60th minute warning against such conduct, with confirmation that arrests had been made.
Chelsea Pride, the club's official LGBTQ+ supporter group, released a statement expressing their dismay: "Tonight, homophobic chanting was once again directed at our supporters. This is utterly unacceptable. We acknowledge that Hull City made stadium announcements, confirmed CCTV was being monitored, and that arrests have been made. Action matters. Accountability matters. Consequences matter. But let us be clear, the fact that this chant is still being heard in 2026 is a stain on our game."
Rosenior responded: "Without knowing what has happened, any discriminatory language in any form, about anything, is unacceptable so I hope it gets dealt with." Jakirovic added: "This is not a place for this, for sure, in the stadium and also in public as well. This is not good. The stadium is not a place for that and this is the reason why they have been arrested."
The comprehensive victory sees Chelsea advance in the FA Cup while demonstrating the professional standards Rosenior demands, though the match was overshadowed by the unacceptable behavior from some supporters that both clubs have pledged to address.
