Hull City 0-4 Chelsea: Neto’s Treble Powers Blues as Rosenior Returns to Haunt Tigers
Chelsea cruised into the FA Cup fifth round with a dominant 4-0 victory over Hull City at the MKM Stadium, courtesy of a sparkling hat-trick from Pedro Neto and a masterclass in midfield control from Liam Delap.
In a fixture laden with subplots, the biggest narrative belonged to Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior. Making his first competitive return to the club where he started his coaching journey, the former Hull defender watched his side deliver a clinical performance that left the Tigers tamed long before the final whistle.
The deadlock was broken in the 23rd minute when Neto collected the ball on the edge of the box. With time and space afforded by a hesitant Hull defence, the Portuguese international unleashed a low, driven strike that nestled into the bottom corner, giving goalkeeper Dillon Phillips no chance.
Chelsea had threatened prior to that moment. Phillips endured a moment of sheer terror when a clearance ricocheted off the predatory Delap and cannoned against the crossbar. Goal-line technology confirmed the ball had not fully crossed the line—a let-off that merely delayed the inevitable.
Neto doubled the lead just before the interval in spectacular, if fortunate, fashion. Whipping an inswinging corner toward the near post, the winger watched in disbelief as the ball evaded everyone, squeezing through Phillips’ legs and over the line.
The second half followed a similar script: Chelsea controlled possession while Hull struggled to mount sustained pressure. Delap, operating in a advanced playmaker role, turned provider for the third goal, slipping a perfectly weighted pass through to Estevao, who finished first-time past the exposed Phillips.
Neto completed his hat-trick shortly after, again benefiting from Delap’s vision. A sharp one-two on the edge of the area sliced Hull open, allowing Neto to stroke the ball into an empty net for his third and Chelsea’s fourth.
To their credit, Hull refused to fold. Substitute Lewis Koumas injected energy into the home side’s attack, striking the post with a curling effort after smart footwork created space inside the box. The Tigers continued to press in stoppage time, but Chelsea’s defensive unit, marshalled by Tosin Adarabioyo, held firm to preserve the clean sheet.
Chelsea now await Monday’s draw for the fifth round, already assured of their place among the competition’s remaining hopefuls.
Delap: “We’re Embracing Rosenior’s Vision”
Speaking after the match, Chelsea’s Liam Delap praised the team’s growing cohesion under their new manager.
“It was a special night coming back here,” Delap told BBC Sport. “I’ve got fond memories of this ground, but it’s about the result tonight. We executed the game plan perfectly.
“On the chance that hit the bar—I honestly thought it was in. You want those to go your way, but it’s about reacting, and I think we did that.
“We showed control in the first half but knew we could be more ruthless. The second half reflected that mentality. The manager’s messages are clear, and everyone is buying in. You can see the identity forming.”
Clubs Respond to Supporter Conduct
The match was overshadowed by reports of discriminatory chanting from a section of supporters. Humberside Police confirmed arrests were made during the tie.
Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic said: “I was not aware of it during the match. But let me be clear—there is no place for that behaviour anywhere, let alone in a stadium. It is wrong, and I support the action taken.”
Chelsea’s Liam Rosenior added: “I wasn’t fully aware of the situation—the fourth official mentioned something, but my focus was on the game. That said, any form of discrimination is completely unacceptable. It has no place in football or society. I hope the appropriate steps are taken.”
Chelsea progress to the fifth round as the first team to secure their spot, while Hull will reflect on a cup exit that, despite the scoreline, offered glimpses of promise against Premier League opposition.
