Chelsea Cruise Past Hull in FA Cup Amid Winter Blizzard
In a scene emblematic of England's sporting winter, television cameras captured six Chelsea substitutes huddled on the bench, bundled in heavy coats against the swirling snow at Hull's MKM Stadium. This stark visual set the tone for a night where the weather proved more challenging than the opposition for the Premier League giants.
Rosenior's Return Overshadowed by Chelsea Dominance
Liam Rosenior received a warm reception from Hull supporters upon his return to the club where he previously served, but any nostalgia quickly faded as his Championship side struggled to contain Chelsea's superior quality. Despite fielding a surprisingly weakened lineup despite eight days without a fixture, Hull showed initial promise, competing gamely for forty minutes before fading dramatically.
The home crowd, braving dreadful conditions, had hoped for evidence that their upwardly mobile club could mount a serious Championship promotion push this season. Instead, they witnessed a comprehensive defeat that highlighted the gulf between divisions.
Comical Misses Precede Neto's Masterclass
Chelsea controlled proceedings from the outset, though their early dominance was marred by two astonishing misses. In the seventeenth minute, Brazilian teenager Estevao rounded goalkeeper Dillon Phillips after a delightful touch, only to inexplicably lift the ball over the bar from seven yards out.
Minutes later, Liam Delap charged down Phillips' clearance, watching the ball ricochet off the crossbar and bounce agonizingly close to the goal line. Replays confirmed it was mere inches from crossing, but Delap compounded the error by taking unnecessary touches, allowing Phillips to recover and block the rebound.
Rosenior appeared visibly irritated on the bench, but these early frustrations proved temporary. Both forwards redeemed themselves later, with Delap ultimately contributing three assists in a selfless performance.
Neto's Treble Turns the Tide
The pivotal moment arrived five minutes before halftime. Pedro Neto collected the ball in central midfield, received a layoff from Delap twenty yards from goal, and curled a beautiful left-footed strike into the bottom corner. This opener set Chelsea on an irreversible path to victory.
Hull, previously energetic, grew increasingly passive after conceding. Chelsea doubled their lead five minutes into the second half through a soft goal from Neto's corner, which slipped through a crowd of defenders and between Phillips' legs at the near post.
The third goal showcased Chelsea's quality, with Delap skinning defender John Egan on the right flank before squaring for Estevao to slot home from ten yards. Neto completed his hat-trick with twenty minutes remaining, converting Delap's clever backheel pass with a low right-footed finish.
Hull's Late Consolation Effort
The home side managed a late flurry, with Lewis Koumas striking the post to briefly rouse the still-engaged crowd. Despite the comprehensive scoreline, Hull supporters remained vocal until the final whistle, even as their team's FA Cup journey ended emphatically.
Chelsea's comfortable progression to the fifth round demonstrated their resilience amid atrocious conditions, with Neto's clinical finishing proving the difference on a night where early profligacy could have complicated matters.
