FOOTBALL
Posted on February 16, 2026 7:14 pm
Chelsea have ruled Europe in recent years, lifting every title available and even adding a world title to their collection. However, at home, the silence has carried on. It has been years since they last celebrated a domestic title. Now, that gap has started to hurt. The FA Cup is becoming a realistic path back to Wembley. For Liam Rosenior, it is more than just a tournament.
Chelsea React Strongly In FA Cup
The wait for a domestic title dates back to their FA Cup win under Antonio Conte in 2018. Since then, Chelsea have rose on the European stage but failed to repeat that success in England. This season’s Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Arsenal only added to that frustration.
Liam Rosenior knows the stakes at Stamford Bridge at the moment. The Premier League title seems out of reach. That said, slipping away in another cup would only increase the doubts. Although, his side responded with purpose in the FA Cup fourth round against Hull City. A great 4-0 victory at the MKM Stadium showed focus and hunger.
Pedro Neto stole headlines with his first senior hat trick in the Blue colors. It was the first time a Chelsea player had achieved that feat in an FA Cup match since Tammy Abraham against Luton Town in January 2021. Rosenior refused to single anyone out, praising the collective effort and mentality of the team.
Not to forget, Cole Palmer was rested for this game. In addition, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro were on the bench as well. Still, the west London club looked sharp. Estevao and Moises Caicedo drove the tempo of the match early on. They were creating chances that could have put the game beyond doubt inside 20 minutes. Once Neto found the net, Hull struggled to take the pressure from the Blues.
Squad Depth Of Liam Rosenior Reveals Serious Intent
Strong cup runs are built on squad strength and Chelsea have it. Rosenior made plenty of rotations after a midweek draw with Leeds in the league. He made seven changes without losing control. That kind of depth is a manager’s dream.
The numbers backed up the dominance as well. It was not just about flair, it was about their structure and clinical finishing.
Meanwhile, Liam Delap returned to a ground he once called home during his loan spell. He made an early error but played a key role in setting up further chances. The response showed a squad willing to fight for one another.
Rosenior has quietly built momentum since taking charge. In all competitions, Chelsea have won eight of their last 11 matches under him. This matches their best records across Europe’s top five leagues in that period. That is not coincidence, it reflects belief returning to the dressing room.
The Blues Need Focus Ahead Of Key Run
History also favors the Blues in this domestic competition. The win extended Chelsea’s run to 18 consecutive FA Cup victories against lower division sides.
Burnley await next, and the race for a top four Premier League finish remains intense. Cup excitement cannot distract them from their league plans.
For Rosenior, leadership matters most in football. He had a talented group that had lost direction earlier in the campaign. Now, there is clarity in the Blues’ dressing room. The FA Cup offers a clean path to silverware and a shot at ending years of domestic frustration.
Given that, Chelsea have rediscovered purpose at the right time of the season. If they maintain this focus, Wembley is not just a dream anymore. At the moment, it is a target firmly within reach.
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