Liam Rosenior was cool, calm, and collected in the Chelsea dugout as his much-changed side cruised to a 5-1 win over Championship side Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup on Saturday night.
Rosenior finally took charge of his first game as Blues manager, after opting not to take over for the trip to Fulham on Wednesday night. Calum McFarlane remained in the dugout during the 2-1 loss at Fulham.
But after appointing McFarlane as his first-team coach, Rosenior managed his first Chelsea game, and it came against Nathan Jones’ Charlton in The FA Cup. The first of six games set to played in 18 days.
Such a crazy schedule saw Rosenior make eight changes to the side that lost at Fulham. Only Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo and Tosin Adarabioyo remained from Wednesday night’s loss at Craven Cottage.
Who was your Man of the Match vs Charlton?
Or did we miss anyone? Let us know!
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Chelsea dominated possession and, aside from a brief counterattack scare, controlled the game. The first goal eventually came through a moment of magic from defender Jorrel Hato in first-half injury time.
A second from Tosin came shortly before Charlton’s goal, only for Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto and then Enzo Fernandez to all get their name on the score sheet. A brilliant 5-1 win for Rosenior, in his first outing.
Charlton Athletic v Chelsea - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Chelsea player ratings as Liam Rosenior secures win v Charlton
Filip Jorgensen – 7
It was a quiet night for Jorgensen until the 57th minute, until Miles Leaburn lashed in a goal for Charlton. Jorgensen had actually done well to prevent Lloyd Jones’ initial header. Brilliant moment late, off his line.
Josh Acheampong – 6
Used on the right despite naturally being a centre-back, Acheampong would fill in as a third central defender with Jorrel Hato pushed so far up. Kept things simply, largely untroubled, solid performance.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 7
Tosin was arguably one of the better players from Wednesday’s defeat and on Saturday night, he looked like a leader in this Chelsea side. Perfectly flicked a free-kick into the back of the net for Chelsea’s second.
Benoit Badiashile – 5
Not the most polished performance from the Frenchman, booked inside the first 10 minutes as he left his man waltz past him. Perhaps, a lack of game time for the defender can be attributed to his sloppiness.
Jorrel Hato – 8 (replaced by Fofana, 84)
Hato won a start after Marc Cucurella’s red and he was superb. An inverted midfield role almost for the left-back, who lashed home a gorgeous goal and made a superb block just before Charlton’s goal.
Charlton Athletic v Chelsea - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Moises Caicedo – 7
Caicedo has the aura of a 6ft 5in player, gliding around with his chest puffed out and the confidence to know that he’s the best player on the park. Didn’t do anything spectacular, inch-perfect otherwise.
Andrey Santos – 6
Santos remained in the side under his former manager having been sacrificed against Fulham and ultimately, it was a largely quiet game. The midfielder did help to dictate the tempo of the game.
Jamie Gittens – 8 (replaced by Estevao, 66)
Brilliant in the first half, the former Dortmund man was Chelsea’s biggest threat and had a couple of sighters. It was his run that won the free-kick for Chelsea’s second goal. Much better from Gittens.
FBL-ENG-FACUP-CHARLTON-CHELSEA
Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images
Facundo Buonanotte – 7 (replaced by Enzo, 69)
Up and down for Buonanotte. A gorgeous free-kick for Chelsea’s second, and it was his shot that was parried for Chelsea’s third. But the Argentine was shoved off the ball easily, and gave it away often.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4 (replaced by Neto, 84)
Not good enough from Garnacho, who was booed by Charlton fans, for what one can gather, is simply his presence. Moaned a lot despite his side winning. Numerous shots and crosses blocked. Lack of quality.
Much, Much better from Jamie Gittens!
Would you hand Gittens a start against Arsenal on Wednesday?
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Marc Guiu – 6 (replaced by Delap, 69)
Guiu endured a quiet first half, hardly involved. Then, the Spaniard lost Jones from a Charlton corner and it led to Leaburn scoring. However, Guiu instantly made up for it with a superb poacher’s finish.
Subs
Estevao – 6 (66)
Did very little other than winning a penalty, which was a harsh decision
Enzo Fernandez – 7 (66)
Gorgeous strike from the edge of the area after Estevao saw a shot parried, but it was tipped over. Would have been a crime to end the night without scoring, and he eventually did with a penalty. Assist, too.
Charlton Athletic v Chelsea - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Liam Delap – 5 (69)
Looked full of confidence coming on but missed a sitter on 78 minutes.
Pedro Neto (84) – 7
Took full advantage of his one chance after coming on late, and showed composure to lash home.
Wesley Fofana (84) – N/A
Did little, but good to see him.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox