New coach's perfect debut, Chelsea showcases strength in the FA Cup

Chelsea kicked off the Rosenior era with an emphatic 5-1 win against Charlton at The Valley, earning their place in the next round of the FA Cup.

At the start of the match, Chelsea fielded a lineup with several changes compared to recent games. Cole Palmer and Reece James did not even travel with the team, as Rosenior deliberately rotated his squad to prepare for the first leg of the League Cup semi-final against Arsenal.

Charlton started with a five-man defense, opting to sit deep and look for counterattack chances. Chelsea dominated possession but struggled to break through the crowded defense. Long-range shots were frequent but mostly off target. Jamie Gittens was a rare source of creativity, constantly troubling the wing and forcing goalkeeper Will Mannion into several saves.

The turning point came only in first-half stoppage time. After a loose ball in the box, Jorrel Hato unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that struck the Charlton net. This defender’s first goal for Chelsea opened the scoring, giving the visitors a lead going into halftime.

In the second half, Charlton pushed forward seeking an equalizer. The home side played more aggressively but still found it hard against Chelsea's well-organized defense. In the 55th minute, from a free kick, Facundo Buonanotte delivered a precise cross for Tosin Adarabioyo to head home and double Chelsea’s advantage.

However, Charlton fought back strongly and pulled a goal back after goalkeeper Jorgensen saved the initial shot, but Miles Leaburn was quick to score on the rebound, reigniting hope for the hosts.

At the 70th minute, following a blocked shot by Buonanotte, young striker Marc Guiu arrived on time to calmly slot the ball into the net, restoring Chelsea’s two-goal lead. The final minutes saw intense pressure from Chelsea. Mannion was kept busy with shots from Enzo Fernandez and Estevao. In stoppage time, Pedro Neto scored a neat fourth goal before Estevao earned a penalty that Enzo Fernandez converted to seal a 5-1 victory..

This comprehensive triumph not only advanced Chelsea in the FA Cup but also marked a memorable milestone for Liam Rosenior, who became the first Chelsea manager since Antonio Conte in 2016 to win on his debut.