Chelsea began their FA Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 5–1 victory over Charlton Athletic at The Valley on Saturday in the third round of the competition. Fielding a mixed side, the Blues dominated from start to finish and booked their place in the next stage with a commanding away performance.
Despite playing on the road, Chelsea controlled possession from the opening minutes and quickly imposed their tempo on the match, leaving Charlton struggling to contain the visitors’ attacking movement.
Perfect Start for Rosenior at Chelsea
The fixture marked Liam Rosenior’s debut as Chelsea manager, following his departure from Strasbourg. The 40-year-old could not have asked for a better introduction, guiding his new side to a comprehensive win in his first match in charge.
Chelsea finally broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. Jorrel Hato finished confidently after an assist from Marc Guiu, sending the Blues into the interval with a deserved lead.
Goals Flow in the Second Half
Chelsea wasted no time in extending their advantage after the restart. Tosin Adarabioyo made it 2–0 early in the second half, further asserting the visitors’ dominance.
Charlton briefly offered hope when Miles Leaburn pulled one back in the 57th minute, but any momentum was quickly extinguished. Just five minutes later, Marc Guiu restored Chelsea’s two-goal cushion with a composed finish.
Late Goals Complete the Rout
As the match entered its final stages, Chelsea continued to press. In stoppage time, Pedro Neto added a fourth, before Enzo Fernández converted a penalty after Estêvão was brought down in the box, sealing a convincing 5–1 scoreline.
Chelsea March On in the FA Cup
The emphatic win not only secures Chelsea’s progression to the next round of the FA Cup but also provides an encouraging start for Rosenior’s tenure at the club. With a blend of youth and experience on display, the Blues showed attacking fluency, defensive control, and ruthless efficiency in front of goal.
