7M - Neto's Hat-Trick Powers Chelsea to FA Cup Victory Over Hull

Chelsea secured a dominant FA Cup win against Hull City, thanks to a stunning hat-trick from Pedro Neto, as they cruised to a 4-0 victory at MKM Stadium.

Match Highlights

Rosenior's side took the lead with Neto's superb strike in the first half, and he added another goal after the break. Estevao Willian also contributed to the scoreline with Chelsea's third goal, while Neto completed his treble to wrap up the convincing fourth-round rout.

It was an emotional night for Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior, who faced Hull, the club that ended their long-term association in 2024. Rosenior, a former player and manager at Hull, expressed how meaningful the club is to him and his family. Despite the painful separation after narrowly missing the Championship play-offs due to criticism over his tactics, Rosenior was determined to prove a point during his return.

"This club means a lot not just to me but also to my family," said Rosenior. "I hope they make the Premier League this year, but our attitude tonight gave us the platform to win."

Rosenior has made a strong impact at Chelsea since joining from Strasbourg in January, achieving eight wins in his first 11 matches across competitions. He opted for seven changes in his lineup, resting key players like Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and Joao Pedro but still fielded a team strong enough to overpower Hull's Championship promotion aspirations.

"Pedro Neto has been outstanding; he works hard and has so much quality. I'm delighted to see him score," Rosenior remarked. He emphasized the importance of the team's mentality, noting, "It was a really strong performance in terms of the mental application needed for success."

Chelsea controlled possession significantly, breaking through in the 40th minute when Liam Delap set up Neto, who finished brilliantly from 20 yards.

After the interval, Andrey Santos' header was pushed over by Hull's Dillon Phillips, leading to Chelsea doubling their lead in the 51st minute. Neto's inswinging corner surprisingly went through Phillips without any touch from players.

Following a disappointment in their recent 2-2 Premier League draw with Leeds, Chelsea ensured there would be no repeat performance. Estevao scored the third goal in the 59th minute with a composed finish from 12 yards. Neto's fourth came in the 71st minute as he slotted a low shot past Phillips from a Delap lay-off.

In the other fourth-round match, Wrexham triumphed over Ipswich with a 1-0 win, marking their progress to the last 16 for the first time since the 1996-97 season.