Liam Rosenior starts Chelsea tenure with a 5-1 FA Cup victory over Charlton
Liam Rosenior’s tenure as Chelsea manager got off to an impressive start, with his side cruising to a comprehensive 5-1 triumph over Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup Third Round on Saturday evening, reports BritPanorama.
The former Strasbourg boss, confirmed as Enzo Maresca’s successor earlier this week, witnessed his players deliver the required response at The Valley. Goals from Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto, and Enzo Fernandez ensured Chelsea progressed effortlessly to the next round.
Miles Leaburn netted a consolation for the Championship hosts, but the final scoreline reflected Chelsea’s dominance throughout the contest. The victory ended a winless run stretching back to mid-December for the west London club.
The 19-year-old Dutch defender Hato broke the deadlock in spectacular style deep into first-half stoppage time, lashing a stunning volley into the roof of the net after Marc Guiu had headed the ball across the area. Former England international Karen Carney praised the youngster’s technique, stating, “Absolutely beautiful with that left foot. He’s had a difficult time, and he is only 19. This is what the young lad needs because he is clearly talented.”
Five minutes after the interval, Adarabioyo doubled the advantage, guiding Facundo Buonanotte’s whipped free-kick past Will Mannion at the near post. Charlton responded through Leaburn, a former Chelsea academy product, who fired home after Filip Jorgensen had saved Lloyd Jones’s header. However, Guiu restored Chelsea’s two-goal cushion just five minutes later, converting a rebound following a parried shot from Buonanotte.
Substitute Neto sealed the victory in the first minute of added time, dancing past defenders before drilling a low shot inside the near post. There was still time for Fernandez to add gloss to the scoreline from the penalty spot after Estevao had been brought down by Mannion following a mazy run into the box. The Argentine midfielder thundered his effort into the left-hand corner with the final kick of the match.
Chelsea’s campaign in 2026 had been turbulent prior to Rosenior’s arrival, with the club dismissing Maresca on New Year’s Day. Under caretaker manager Calum McFarlane, the Blues salvaged a late draw against Manchester City before suffering defeat to Fulham in midweek. Rosenior wasted no time implementing his ideas, employing a back three formation rather than the back four typically favoured by his predecessor. Nathan Jones’s Addicks, sitting 19th in the Championship and without a victory since December 20, were unable to spring an upset against their Premier League opponents.
Rosenior’s opening match embodied a timely reminder of the unpredictability of cup football — an occasion when surprises loom and expectations collide. Chelsea’s response, both decisive and emphatic, sets a promising tone for the challenges ahead.
