Rosenior Secures Ideal Debut Win as Chelsea Overpower Charlton in FA Cup Clash
Chelseas fresh manager Liam Rosenior savoured an impeccable beginning to his tenure as the Blues demolished Charlton 5-1 during the FA Cup third round encounter on Saturday.
Jorrel Hato notched his debut strike for Chelsea towards the end of the opening period at The Valley while Tosin Adarabioyo extended the away sides advantage shortly following the break.
Even though Miles Leaburn pulled one back Guiu Marc Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez netted to guarantee Rosenior a smooth initial triumph over a Charlton outfit languishing in 19th spot within the Championship.
Brought in from Strasbourg to succeed Enzo Maresca following the Italians departure from the Blues last week Rosenior realised his aim to "hit the ground running" by halting their run of five games without a victory.
Rosenior faces a tougher challenge in his initial home fixture on Wednesday as Chelsea entertain Premier League frontrunners Arsenal in the League Cup semi final opening leg.
The 41 year old has faced accusations of being chosen as a compliant figure for Chelseas leadership after the unpredictable Marescas stormy spell.
The connection that Strasbourg shares the same ownership as Chelsea merely heightened doubts that Rosenior could be more open to guidance from those above than Maresca.
Positioned along the sideline in his scholarly spectacles and polo neck top clutching a notepad Rosenior resembled a youthful university tutor more than a top flight boss.
Yet looks can mislead and Rosenior built a name as a promising tactician by guiding modest Strasbourg to seventh position in Frances top division last term.
Rosenior observed Chelseas 2-1 loss at Fulham on Wednesday from the terraces as interim coach Calum McFarlane handled the tactics.
Chelsea Take Control
After requesting a chance to demonstrate he is "worthy" of leading Chelsea Rosenior implemented eight alterations for his first match and risked omitting England attacker Cole Palmer.
The ex Hull chief adhered to his philosophy deploying Chelsea in the three at the back setup he preferred at Strasbourg.
Initial indicators were positive for Rosenior.
Hatos arcing header was grabbed by Charlton goalkeeper Will Mannion who stretched fully once more to block Jamie Gittens effort shortly after.
Josh Acheampong challenged Mannion from distance but Blues fans stayed sceptical regarding their teams newest shift in approach chanting for ex owner Roman Abramovich and calling on Rosenior to "attack attack attack" post the lacklustre Maresca period.
They saw their desire fulfilled as Hato gave Chelsea the lead in added time of the first half.
Hatos half volley from barely inside the box curled into the upper corner prompting a thumbs up from Rosenior to the young defender.
Chelsea dominated proceedings when Adarabioyo converted in the 50th minute connecting with Facundo Buonanottes curling free kick via a powerful header that sped beyond Mannion.
Leaburn a past Chelsea academy product narrowed the gap seven minutes on slotting in from near range after Filip Jorgensens stop rebounded to him.
However Guiu calmed any nerves for Rosenior in the 62nd minute smashing in from 10 yards out.
Rosenior would have appreciated how Chelsea maintained their intensity.
Neto extended the score to four with a sharp finish in the 91st minute and Fernandez calmly converted a spot kick with the finals touch after Estevao Willian was tripped by Mannion.