HULL, England — While it was a tie his late grandmother might have hoped for, Liam Rosenior showed no leniency toward his former club Hull City on Friday.
As Chelsea celebrated their third goal just an hour into the match, Rosenior embraced Enzo Fernández, a World Cup winner acquired for £106 million, before sending him onto the field.
By then, the hope for a Hull City comeback had long evaporated in the frigid MKM Stadium, as about 20 of Rosenior’s family and friends sought tickets to witness his return to the club where he spent seven seasons—five as a player and two as a coach.
Rosenior’s grandmother, once a devoted Hull season-ticket holder, has sadly passed away, but on Monday, the new Chelsea manager nostalgically mentioned that “she did the draw” that pitted his current team against his past one.
Home fans likely left disappointed after watching their team suffer a 4-0 defeat, yet in time, they may take pride in Rosenior’s current position.
Having started his first permanent managerial role at Hull in 2022, locals remember the fresh ideas he brought to their football.
This innovation extends to his bold decision-making; despite Chelsea’s recent struggle to maintain leads — evident just three days prior against Leeds United — he made eight changes to the lineup for this match against a team positioned fourth in the Championship.
In his tenure so far, Rosenior has led Chelsea to eight victories in 11 matches, a stat that may help him gain acceptance from some fans who remain skeptical of his credentials.
Critics, viewing him as a pawn for the BlueCo ownership group after his move from Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg, may doubt his resolve, but he is determined to maintain his courage.
A loss here would have been particularly awkward, but Chelsea faced little genuine threat throughout the match, aside from a spell of blustery snow and missed chances.
Alejandro Garnacho squandered a chance early on, failing to score when one-on-one with Dillon Phillips. Estêvão managed to get around Phillips but shot over an unguarded net. Competing for the title of biggest miss was Liam Delap, who struck the underside of the bar after closing down Phillips before failing to convert the rebound.
Pedro Neto opened the scoring with a well-placed low shot from outside the box just five minutes before halftime, and later, Neto’s corner found its way into the net after a scramble. Delap demonstrated his strength by breaking free to set up Estevao for an easy finish.
Neto secured his hat trick in the 71st minute, benefiting from Delap’s excellent play. Hull’s Lewis Koumas struck the post in stoppage time, but by then, Rosenior had the chance to introduce teenager Jesse Derry for his debut.
“I’m quickly realizing that not only are they talented players, but they’re also outstanding professionals,” Rosenior remarked. “Tonight was a professional performance against a strong team pushing for the Premier League. Some of our play was exactly what I want to see, and our values as a team made me a very happy coach.”
“I’ll always have a special connection to this club, regardless of how I was received today, and the fans have been wonderful to me. I’ve shared many great moments here and appreciate their warm welcome.”
Rosenior’s adaptability has been a crucial aspect of his early managerial success, and the night proved particularly beneficial for Neto.
With Chelsea consistently recruiting new wide players, Neto’s future on the right flank looks uncertain, especially with Estevao’s rising star and the arrival of Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP this summer.
Neto, 25, has been a versatile asset, starting seven of Rosenior’s matches in various roles, and even played in three different positions during one game against Arsenal last month.
With Cole Palmer absent for this match, Neto filled the No. 10 role and his first goal demonstrated his knack for occupying attacking spaces. His hat trick serves as a comeback against the negative online commentary he sometimes faces, which Rosenior addressed after the match.
“I’m not aware of it and I’m unsure why that would happen, as Pedro Neto offers us numerous valuable qualities,” Rosenior stated. “To me, he is a world-class player, an exceptional winger, and I genuinely appreciate his commitment to the team. He will play a crucial role in our objectives for the remainder of the season.”
Following the match, Rosenior exited for “a beer,” he noted, with his counterpart Sergej Jakirovic before heading up to meet Hull’s owner, Acun Illicali.
As the match wound down, home supporters urged Rosenior for a wave, and he obliged. It was the only gesture he extended toward them all night as Chelsea advanced in the competition.