Pedro Neto's Hat-Trick Inspires Chelsea to Dominant FA Cup Victory at Hull
Pedro Neto delivered a spectacular hat-trick performance to propel Chelsea into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a comprehensive 4-0 thrashing of Hull City. The Blues' manager Liam Rosenior enjoyed an emotional and successful return to his former club, overseeing a commanding display that also featured a goal from Brazilian forward Estevao Willian.
Neto's Brilliance Secures Chelsea's Passage
The match began with Chelsea asserting their dominance early, and Neto broke the deadlock just before halftime with a magnificent 18-yard curler that found the bottom right corner of the net. This crucial goal gave the Premier League side a psychological advantage heading into the interval.
Neto doubled Chelsea's lead early in the second half with an extraordinary goal directly from a corner kick, showcasing his technical prowess and creativity. Estevao Willian then effectively sealed the victory just before the hour mark with a well-taken finish, putting the tie beyond any doubt.
The Portuguese winger completed his memorable hat-trick with 19 minutes remaining, capping off a sensational individual performance that highlighted his growing importance to the Chelsea squad. Throughout the match, Championship promotion hopefuls Hull City struggled to mount any meaningful threat, failing to test Chelsea's defense seriously.
Rosenior's Emotional Return and Chelsea's Form
For Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior, this victory held special significance as he returned to the MKM Stadium where he had previously served as both a player and manager. The London club's comfortable progression continues Rosenior's impressive start to his tenure, which began in January with a 5-1 demolition of Charlton Athletic in the third round.
Aside from Chelsea's two-legged League Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal, Rosenior has now guided the team to eight victories and one draw in his nine other matches across all competitions. This consistent form suggests the Blues are responding positively to their new manager's tactical approach and leadership.
Player Reactions and Tactical Insights
Speaking after the match, Chelsea forward Liam Delap praised Neto's exceptional contribution, particularly noting the player's adaptability in an unfamiliar position. "Pedro Neto is an incredible player," Delap told TNT Sports. "He is playing in a position he is not even used to but he showed his quality."
Delap also commented on a first-half incident where goalline technology denied him a goal, admitting he had prematurely celebrated what he believed was a legitimate score. "I swear on my life I almost ran off, I thought it went in and was waiting for the referee to blow his whistle. It was silly from me but I thought it was in."
The Chelsea players demonstrated their set-piece proficiency throughout the match, with Delap explaining their approach: "We have our ways of applying pressure from corners. We have been so close a few times and always nice to see them go in."
This comprehensive victory not only secures Chelsea's place in the FA Cup's last sixteen but also reinforces their growing confidence under Rosenior's management. The combination of Neto's individual brilliance and the team's collective discipline suggests Chelsea could be genuine contenders for domestic silverware this season.
