Liam Rosenior turned to Chelsea’s second string for his first game in charge as his new side beat Charlton 5-1 at Valley to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Goals from Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo and Marc Guiu – three little-known players during the final months of former coach Enzo Maresca’s reign – completed a fairly simple task before Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández from the penalty spot added late brilliance.
Miles Leaburn’s goal to briefly make it 2-1 was enough to keep the home side interested in the draw almost until the end.
Rosenior got a taste of the current mood among Blues supporters. They chanted the name of former owner Roman Abramovich in south London, while there was a less complimentary chorus for Rosenior’s co-owner and new boss Behdad Eghbali.
He and his colleagues at BlueCo are ultimately the ones the new head coach will have to impress, but a strong start could also go some way toward mending the barriers between fans and ownership. It will take more than a cup win against Championship opposition, but his side made light work of Charlton here.
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There were a nervous first few minutes as the visitors settled into their new era. Benoit Badiashile was convicted of knocking down Leaburn, a moment that may well have come back to haunt him soon after when he did the same to Sonny Carey.
Charlton goalkeeper Will Mannion saved from Hato and Jamie Gittens in the first 15 minutes. Gittens’ impact so far since joining Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund has been limited, but he was the most lively Blue player during the first half.
Mannion was then again vigilant to deflect Josh Acheampong’s drive. Rosenior’s team had 80% possession after 45 minutes, but were limited to just over half a chance.
That was until the fourth minute of added time when a goal rocket came from an unlikely source. Hato had never scored for the west London side, but that changed dramatically when the ball fell to him in the box and he found the net magnificently on the volley.
Charlton had held out well against Chelsea and could count themselves unlucky to be behind at the break, but shortly after the restart they were dealt a major blow.
Facundo Buonanotte – another forgotten man – sent a free kick from the left and there Tosin met it, heading firmly past Mannion for 2-0.
Leaburn found a way for the hosts to breathe life back into the tie, heading the ball home from close range after Filip Jorgensen pushed away a header, as the fierce support behind the goal reached new ground.
Chelsea have been at their weakest this season in the face of adversity, but their response to the home goal will have buoyed Rosenior. Garnacho did well in the build-up, a shot came in which Mannion parried but on hand to knock in the rebound was Guiu.
Substitutes Estêvão and Liam Delap almost caused the rout, but both were denied by Mannion.
He would be beaten twice more in injury time, first when Neto drove into the corner, then again from a Fernández penalty.
