Hull City 0-4 Chelsea: FLW report as Blues cruise past Tigers on Liam Rosenior's MKM return | OneFootball

FLW report from the MKM Stadium for this FA Cup clash

Hull City saw their FA Cup run end at the hands of Chelsea at the MKM Stadium on Friday night, with the West London side emerging 4-0 victors.

With it being well-documented that Liam Rosenior was returning to East Yorkshire for the first time since his dismissal 21 months ago, the Blues boss saw his team ease past Championship opposition for the second successive round through Pedro Neto's hat-trick, as well as a further strike from Estevao.

As a result, Sergej Jakirovic's Tigers now have 15 matches of the regular season remaining - all of which could determine their promotion chances.

Hull City 0-4 Chelsea

The first effort of the night came after five minutes when Neto found space on the edge of the box before firing over the top of Dillon Phillips' net. A half-cleared Tigers corner from the following attack then saw a half-volley from Regan Slater charged down by Alejandro Garnacho.

Phillips was then at full stretch to thwart the Argentine who raced one-on-one after a defence-splitting ball from Moises Caicedo, with Neto unable to flick the rebound home. City then had a glorious chance to take the lead as Liam Millar gambled on a loose ball to set up Lewis Koumas, who couldn't direct his flick past Robert Sanchez.

Brazilian winger, Estevao, then spurned a glorious chance from inside the box with the goal at his mercy after rounding Phillips on 17 minutes, before another error saw the shot-stopper bail out the second-tier side as Liam Delap fired a low strike from a narrow angle.

Ryan Giles then saw a free-kick across the body of Sanchez well saved by the Spaniard, with McCarthy unable to sort his feet out on the rebound.

However, with five minutes of the first period left, a neat passing move from the Blues was rounded off by Neto's fine finish into the bottom left-hand corner from 20 yards, which left Phillips with little chance.

Five minutes after the interval, the Hull keeper produced another impressive stop as Andrey Santos' header looked goalbound from Reece James' hanging cross. However, the resulting corner appeared initiallty to have been bundled home by Hato to give Rosenior's side breathing space, before replays showed Neto indeed did find target.

The contest was well and truly ended on 59 minutes as Estevao powered into an open net after receiving a square pass from Delap.

With 19 minutes to go, former Hull loanee Delap was able to complete a hat-trick of assists as he exchanged a one-two with Neto, who drifted inside to slot his hat-trick into the bottom-right-hand corner in front of the travelling supporters.

To their credit, the Tigers continued to push for a consolation goal in the final minutes, with Giles drifting into the box before seeing his low drive turned behind by Sanchez, which was the Chelsea keeper's first save of the second half.

Rosenior was then given a strong reception from the Tigers faithful as the encounter drew to a close, as Chelsea progressed into round five with ease, although Koumas was unable to get his name on the scoresheet in added time for the hosts after racing through.

Player Ratings

Hull City

Dillon Phillips - 6.5

Paddy McNair - 6

John Egan - 6

Cathal McCarthy - 6.5 (Dowell 80" - 6)

Lewie Coyle - 6 (Drameh 77" - 6)

Regan Slater - 7

Amir Hadziahmetovic - 6.5 (Lundstram 64" - 6)

Ryan Giles - 7

Yu Hirakawa - 6.5 (Joseph 77" - 6)

Liam Millar - 6 (Gelhardt 64" - 6.5)

Lewis Koumas - 6

Unused Subs: I.Pandur, A.Famewo, M.Jacob, N.Tinsdale

Chelsea

Robert Sanchez - 7

Reece James - 7 (Acheampong 60" - 6.)

Wesley Fofana - 7.5 (Tosin 77" - 6)

Mamadou Sarr - 7.5

Jorrel Hato - 7.5

Moises Caicedo - 7.5 (Fernandez 60" - 6)

Andrey Santos - 7.5

Pedro Neto - 9

Estevao - 7.5 (Derry 76" - 6.5)

Alejandro Garnacho - 7.5

Liam Delap - 9 (Mhueka 87" - 6)

Unused Subs: T.Sharman-Lowe, M.Gusto, B.Badiashile, J.Pedro

Sergej Jakirovic reacts as Hull City defeated by Chelsea

Reacting to the Tigers' defeat, Jakirovic said: "It's difficult because we played against Chelsea.

"I think that we gave everything today. In the first half especially, we were defensively good and strong. We had some situations from counter-attacks, but maybe some bad decisions in some moments.

"We should score one goal, I think," he claimed. "Chelsea had some chances, and this is the quality Neto has.

"In the second half we tried to be more aggressive and push more. Then, I think we conceded the second goal cheaply from a corner.

"This was something we prepared for, but this is their quality.

"The third and fourth goal, maybe we lost balance in those situations," he added. "They used it immediately and this is their quality.

"Towards the end, we deserved maybe one goal. We had some nice chances.

"I said to Liam (Rosenior) that we deserved a goal and he agreed. But, congratulations to my players.

"If we play the next games with this passion, energy and intensity and we are tactically good, we can be much higher in the Championship."

Liam Rosenior reacts as Chelsea brush Hull City aside

Reacting to the eight-time winners' progression to round five, Rosenior said: "The overall positive thing was the application of the team.

"I thought our pressing, intensity and work-rate (was very positive), and Pedro (Neto) exemplified that," he added. "That's why he scores the goals that he does.

"I'm very lucky to have such talented players. But, what I'm really realising quickly is that they're not just top players, but they're outstanding professionals.

"I thought it was a very professional performance tonight against a very good team who are pushing for the Premier League," Rosenior claimed. "This was not an easy game.

"Some of our football was everything I wanted to see. But, before that, the values of what the team stood for tonight made me a very happy coach."

Speaking of his reception from the Tigers fans, he added: "A really nice way to end. It's mad how life works.

"It was a sad moment leaving the club. But, now, things work out for a reason.

"It's great to see this club pushing for the Premier League as well, so a nice evening."

Attendance

The attendance at the MKM Stadium tonight was 24,320.