Chelsea’s new era under Liam Rosenior kicked off with a commanding five-star performance, thrashing Charlton 5-1 at the Valley to advance comfortably into the fourth round of the FA Cup. This dominant display offered a glimpse into the potential of players who had seen limited action under the previous regime, signaling a fresh start for the club.
The match saw goals from Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Marc Guiu, with Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez adding further gloss from the penalty spot in the closing stages. Miles Leaburn’s earlier strike for Charlton had momentarily kept the tie alive, but Chelsea’s resilience and attacking prowess ultimately proved too much for the home side.
Featured snippet paragraph: How did Chelsea perform in Liam Rosenior’s first match as manager? Chelsea secured a convincing 5-1 victory over Charlton in the FA Cup, showcasing a strong attacking performance and advancing to the next round under their new head coach.
Rosenior, taking the helm for his inaugural game, opted to field a second-string squad, a decision that paid dividends. The performance not only secured a vital win but also provided an early opportunity for supporters to gauge the team’s new direction under the ownership of BlueCo.
Despite a few early jitters, with Benoit Badiashile receiving a booking for a foul on Miles Leaburn, Chelsea gradually asserted control. Goalkeeper Will Mannion of Charlton was kept busy in the opening 15 minutes, making crucial saves from Hato and Jamie Gittens, a player whose impact has been limited since his arrival.
The first half saw Chelsea enjoy a significant possession advantage, exceeding 80 percent. However, they struggled to convert this dominance into clear-cut chances until the dying moments of added time. It was then that Jorrel Hato, in an unexpected moment, scored his first goal for the club with a spectacular volley.
Charlton had held their own for much of the first half and could feel unfortunate to be trailing at the break. However, their hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow shortly after the restart when Tosin Adarabioyo met a free-kick from Facundo Buonanotte with a powerful header, doubling Chelsea’s lead.
Miles Leaburn managed to pull a goal back for Charlton, reigniting the contest and sending the home support into a frenzy. This moment tested Chelsea’s resolve, a characteristic they have struggled with at times during the current season.
However, the team’s response to conceding will have been a significant positive for Rosenior. Following a build-up involving Garnacho, a shot was parried by Mannion, but Marc Guiu was on hand to tap home the rebound, restoring Chelsea’s two-goal cushion.
Substitutes Estevao and Liam Delap came close to extending Chelsea’s lead further, only to be thwarted by the impressive Mannion. The Charlton goalkeeper would concede twice more in added time, first to a well-placed strike from Pedro Neto and then to a penalty converted by Enzo Fernandez, completing the five-star performance.
This victory marks a promising start for Liam Rosenior, demonstrating the team’s potential and offering a positive outlook for the remainder of the season, especially in cup competitions.
