Alejandro Garnacho was the target of persistent boos from Chelsea supporters during the Blues’ 1–0 victory over Charlton in the FA Cup, despite no clear reason for the hostility. The Argentine winger endured a difficult night at The Valley, where the atmosphere quickly turned against him.
The third-round tie was played in front of a packed and vocal crowd in London. From the opening minutes, the intensity inside the historic stadium was evident, with chants and jeers echoing before the first whistle had even sounded.
Rosenior’s Debut and a Youth-Focused Lineup
The match marked Liam Rosenior’s first game in charge of Chelsea, and the new manager opted to rest several regular starters on a rainy afternoon. His lineup featured young, energetic players, with Garnacho deployed on the left wing as part of a plan to stretch Charlton using pace and direct attacks.
However, every time Garnacho touched the ball, he was met with loud boos from sections of the home crowd. Fans were seen recording his mistakes and reacting sarcastically whenever a move broke down, leaving many inside the stadium puzzled by the intensity of the reaction toward the winger.
Constant Pressure on Garnacho
With limited space on the narrow pitch, Garnacho attempted to force dribbles and take on defenders, but was repeatedly dispossessed. Each error was greeted with fresh jeers, increasing the pressure on the young forward. Teammates tried to encourage him, yet the hostile noise remained relentless throughout his time on the pitch.
Despite the distractions, Chelsea controlled possession and moved the ball efficiently around Charlton’s penalty area. The breakthrough finally came in stoppage time of the first half, when Jorrel Hato reacted quickest to a rebound from a corner, converting from close range to give the visitors the lead.
At least Gittens actually tries to do something, Garnacho when not taking a shot is literally having a fight with the ball.
— CFCDaily (@CFCDaily) January 10, 2026
Chelsea Progress, Controversy Lingers
After the interval, Rosenior instructed his side to slow the tempo and focus on shorter passes to manage the game. Garnacho nearly doubled the advantage on a counterattack, but his low effort after a long run was comfortably saved by the Charlton goalkeeper.
Charlton attempted to respond with long balls, but were unable to break down Chelsea’s reorganized defense. When the final whistle sounded, the Blues had secured their place in the next round without major scares.
