Hull City’s focus now shifts back to their promotion challenge in the Championship after Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea knocked them out of the FA Cup on Friday night
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
14:00, 14 Feb 2026
Dillon Phillips looks on after Chelsea score against Hull City(Image: Pro Sports Images)
Hull City were beaten 4-0 by Chelsea in front of the television cameras on Friday night, as their brief foray in the FA Cup came to a shuddering halt in front of a capacity MKM Stadium crowd.
City had battled hard in the first half and came close to opening the scoring through Lewis Koumas and Ryan Giles, while Liam Delap somehow missed at the other end.
From the moment Pedro Neto expertly crafted the opener just before half-time, Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea eased to a comfortable victory against a much-changed Tigers side.
Here’s how the national media reported the night’s events in East Yorkshire…
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The Guardian
“With sleet, snow, swirling wind from the banks of the Humber and most importantly, a Hull City side pushing hard for promotion to the Premier League this season, it was hard not to believe pre-match that this had all the makings of a difficult evening’s work for Chelsea.
“Liam Rosenior holds this city close to his heart, given how some of his family hail from Hull and he had an enjoyable spell in charge of the Tigers: well, until he was unceremoniously sacked nearly two years ago, that is. But his happy association with Hull continued with a magnificent display from his Chelsea side, who ultimately sauntered into the next round of the FA Cup.
“There was much to admire about this performance. Three days removed from surrendering a two-goal lead against Leeds, it felt as though there was a sniff of vulnerability about Chelsea going into this intriguing tie. The capacity home crowd clearly felt it too given the atmosphere pre-match – but Chelsea navigated the task perfectly.
“Rosenior rang the changes, making seven of them to his starting lineup: with one in particular taking centre stage. The tie could and perhaps should have been decided long before it actually was, with both Estêvão Willian and Liam Delap guilty of spurning glorious opportunities to put Chelsea ahead in the first half.”
Read more from the Guardian here
The Standard
“Chelsea are through to the FA Cup fifth round after beating Hull on Friday night. Pedro Neto was the hero for Chelsea at the MKM Stadium as he netted a hat-trick to ensure Liam Rosenior enjoyed a triumphant return to the club he enjoyed two spells at – as a player and as a head coach.
“Estevao was also on target for the Blues in the second half, making amends for a glaring miss in the first half. The result means Chelsea can look forward to the fifth round draw which will take place on Monday evening. It was a return to familiar surroundings for Rosenior and the upturn in results since his appointment continues as his side are back to winning ways after throwing away a two-goal lead in the 2-2 draw at home to Leeds in the Premier League three days ago.
“The hosts, meanwhile, will turn their attentions back to the Championship as they are in a good place to earn promotion.”
Read more from the Standard here
“A Pedro Neto hat-trick fired Chelsea into the FA Cup fifth round with a comfortable win at Championship Hull City.
“Back at a snowy MKM Stadium, Blues boss Liam Rosenior – a former Hull player and manager – had to wait until the 40th minute for his side to make the most of their dominance with the opening goal.
“A lovely interchange of passes ended with Neto whipping a left-footed strike from just outside the box into the corner.
“The Portugal international then doubled Chelsea’s lead five minutes after the break in bizarre circumstances.
“Neto’s swerving in-swinging corner evaded everyone and nestled into the net after bouncing through Hull keeper Dillon Phillips’ legs.
“Brazilian teenager Estevao made up for an earlier poor miss by slotting home in the 59th minute following clever hold-up play from Liam Delap, who spent a season on loan with the Tigers when Rosenior was in charge.
“Neto sealed his first senior career hat-trick 19 minutes from time with a neat finish into the bottom corner as striker Delap recorded his third assist with a barging run and inviting pass to the winger.”
Read more from the BBC here
Chelsea’s official website
“There was no FA Cup shock on Humberside, but there was some magic as Pedro Neto scored a hat-trick and Estevao Willian struck to help Chelsea record a convincing win over Hull City and advance into the fifth round.
“The ingredients for an upset were plentiful during the opening 45 minutes. There was a raucous home crowd. It was a bitterly cold evening. And consistent snow flurries made the playing surface difficult. Yet the Blues were assured and fashioned several chances.
“Hull looked to grab a late consolation and Sanchez saved a near-post effort from Giles. The Tigers came even closer in the dying moments as Koumas broke through and prodded an effort toward goal. Sanchez produced an excellent finger-tip stop to push the ball onto the woodwork.
“It proved the final scare as the Blues’ place in the fifth round was confirmed moments later.”
Read the full report from Chelsea here
The Daily Mail
“Midway through the first half, with the snow swirling, the TV cameras showed six Chelsea substitutes huddled on the bench under big coats and cover ups. It was, in one simple shot, a perfect portrait of an English sporting winter.
“Ultimately, that was where the discomfort started and finished for Liam Rosenior and his team. The Chelsea manager was afforded a warm welcome from fans of the club where he once worked and then watched his team ease in to round five of the FA Cup at half pace.
“Hull – strangely under strength for a team without a fixture for eight days – were game for 40 minutes but gone from the race thereafter and that was disappointing for a full house that had come here on a dreadful night hoping to see further evidence that their upwardly mobile club were ready to make it out of the Championship this season.”
Read more from the Daily Mail here
Sky Sports
“Pedro Neto scored his first senior hat-trick as Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea cruised past Hull City with a 4-0 victory at the MKM Stadium to earn a spot in the FA Cup fifth round.
“The Portuguese forward fired in the opener from just outside of the box as Chelsea steadied themselves after an end-to-end start.
“Up to that point, Rosenior’s former club had shown some promise on the counter with Liam Millar coming close early on. Chelsea themselves nearly had an opener when goalkeeper Dillon Phillips’ lax clearance deflected off of a keen Liam Delap onto the bar, but only half the ball crossed the line.”
Read more from Sky Sports here
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