Rosenior makes a flying start as Chelsea beat Charlton in the FA Cup

Chelsea’s new manager Liam Rosenior got off to the perfect start to his reign as the Blues beat Charlton 5-1 in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

Jorrel Hato scored his first goal for Chelsea late in the first half at The Valley and Tosin Adarabioyo doubled the visitor’s lead shortly after the break.

Although Miles Leaburn got one back, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez scored to ensure Rosenior cruised to a debut victory against a Charlton team 19th in the Championship.

Rosenior was loaned from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca after the Italian parted ways with the Blues last week. Rosenior fulfilled his desire to “hit the ground running” by ending their five-match winless streak.

Rosenior will face a tougher test in his first home match on Wednesday when Chelsea host Premier League leaders Arsenal in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final.

The 41-year-old has faced claims that he has been selected as a ‘yes man’ for Chelsea’s hierarchy after the volatile Maresca’s turbulent reign.

The fact that Strasbourg is part of the same ownership group as Chelsea only increased suspicions that Rosenior might be more willing to accept advice from his superiors than Maresca.

Standing on the touchline, wearing reading glasses and a turtleneck, holding a notebook, Rosenior looked more like a young university lecturer than a Premier League manager.

But appearances can be deceiving and Rosenior had built a reputation as a bright young coach by leading little-known Strasbourg to a seventh-place finish in the French league last season.

Rosenior had watched Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Fulham from the stands on Wednesday while agent Calum McFarlane was in charge.

After asking for time to prove he was ‘worthy’ to manage Chelsea, Rosenior made eight changes for his debut and took a gamble by leaving out England striker Cole Palmer.

The former Hull boss stuck to his principles and sent Chelsea with the same three-man defense he favored in Strasbourg.

The early signs were encouraging for Rosenior.

Hato’s running header was grabbed by Charlton keeper Will Mannion, who was back at full strength moments later to deny Jamie Gittens’ goal.

Josh Acheampong tested Mannion from long range but Blues supporters remained unconvinced by their club’s latest change of direction. He chanted the name of former owner Roman Abramovich and urged Rosenior to «attack, attack, attack» after the strict Maresca era.

They got their wish when Hato put Chelsea ahead in first-half stoppage time.

Hato’s half-volley from just inside the penalty area whistled into the top corner, earning the teenage defender a thumbs-up from Rosenior.

Chelsea were in complete control when Adarabioyo struck in the 50th minute, meeting Facundo Buonanotte’s inswinging free-kick with a thudding header that flashed past Mannion.

Leaburn, a former Chelsea academy graduate, reduced the deficit seven minutes later by firing in from close range after Filip Jorgensen’s save fell at his feet.

But Guiu eased all Rosenior’s worries in the 62nd minute when he rifled home from ten yards.

Rosenior must have been happy with the way Chelsea kept their foot on the accelerator.

Neto made it four with a predatory finish in the 91st minute and Fernandez tapped home a penalty with the final kick of the match after Estevao Willian was fouled by Mannion.

Published on January 11, 2026