HAT-TRICK HERO NETO LEADS CHELSEA’S FA CUP CHARGE

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By: Fasasi Hammad

Chelsea F.C. cruised into the FA Cup fifth round with a commanding 4-0 victory over Hull City A.F.C., inspired by a brilliant hat-trick from Pedro Neto. The win came on an emotional night for Blues boss Liam Rosenior, who returned to the club that dismissed him two years ago.

Rosenior’s side went ahead in the first half through Neto’s stunning long-range strike, and the Portuguese winger added a second after the interval. Estevao Willian made it three before Neto completed his treble to seal the fourth-round rout at the MKM Stadium.

The occasion carried added significance for Rosenior, a lifelong Hull supporter who once held a season ticket alongside his grandmother, spent five years as a player at the club, and later managed them for two seasons. He was dismissed in 2024 after narrowly missing out on a Championship play-off place amid criticism of his cautious approach.

Despite the painful exit, the 41-year-old described his return to Humberside as “amazing” and made the most of the opportunity to underline his progress since taking charge at Chelsea in January, replacing Enzo Maresca after arriving from Strasbourg. He has now won eight of his first 11 matches in all competitions.

Rosenior rotated his squad, leaving out key players such as Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro, yet Chelsea still proved too strong for their Championship opponents.

Estevao squandered an early opportunity after rounding goalkeeper Dillon Phillips but firing over the empty net. Liam Delap, who previously played under Rosenior on loan at Hull, also came close in unusual fashion when a clearance ricocheted off him onto the bar before he failed to convert the rebound.

Chelsea eventually broke through in the 40th minute with a moment of quality. Delap laid the ball off to Neto, who curled a superb 20-yard effort into the corner.

After the break, Andrey Santos’ header was tipped over by Phillips, and from the resulting corner Neto’s inswinging delivery deceived the Hull goalkeeper at the near post to double the lead.

Having recently surrendered a two-goal advantage in a Premier League draw with Leeds, Chelsea ensured there would be no repeat. Estevao added the third with a calm finish from 12 yards before Neto completed his hat-trick in the 71st minute, finishing low past Phillips after another assist from Delap.

Elsewhere, Wrexham A.F.C. edged past Ipswich Town F.C. 1-0 to reach the last 16 for the first time since the 1996–97 season.