Chelsea (foto: Getty Images)
Liam Rosenior enjoyed a perfect first night as Chelsea head coach with a convincing FA Cup win, setting the stage for a high-profile London derby at Stamford Bridge.
Liam Rosenior could hardly have asked for a better start on the Chelsea bench. The former Hull City coach marked his first match in charge with a comfortable FA Cup win over second-tier Charlton, a result that delighted both supporters and club officials.
Chelsea set the tone early and were already in control by half-time. Their dominance was rewarded when Jorrel Hato opened the scoring, while the Blues could easily have gone into the break with an even bigger lead.
The visitors doubled their advantage shortly after the restart. From a well-worked set piece, Facundo Buonanotte delivered a precise free-kick to the near post, where Tosin Adarabioyo rose highest to head home for 2–0.
Charlton briefly reduced the deficit when Miles Leaburn reacted quickest after a save by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished. Just five minutes later, Marc Guiu scored his first goal of the season to restore Chelsea’s two-goal cushion.
In stoppage time, Chelsea turned the win into a rout. Pedro Neto coolly made it 4–1 with a composed finish inside the box, before Enzo Fernández sealed the scoreline from the penalty spot to complete a 5–1 victory.
It was a confident, assured performance and a perfect opening chapter for Rosenior at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea now turn their attention to a major test, with a London derby against Arsenal in the EFL Cup, before welcoming Brentford in the Premier League on January 17.