Chelsea dominated Hull City with a commanding 4-0 victory in the FA Cup, fueled by a brilliant Pedro Neto hat-trick.
Chelsea secured a convincing 4-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Hull City at the MKM Stadium. Pedro Neto delivered a stunning performance, netting a hat-trick that spearheaded the Blues' progression. His clinical finishing proved the defining factor in a one-sided affair.
The FA Cup tie pitted Premier League giants Chelsea against Championship hopefuls Hull City. The Tigers aimed to create a memorable upset on home turf. However, Chelsea arrived looking to avoid any banana skins and secure a comfortable passage.
Chelsea quickly asserted control, dominating possession from the whistle. Hull City adopted a resilient defensive stance, effectively stifling early attacking threats. The Blues patiently worked the ball, seeking a breakthrough against their stubborn hosts.
The deadlock finally broke in the 40th minute. Liam Delap threaded a precise pass through Hull's defence. Pedro Neto latched onto it, then coolly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. Chelsea took a deserved lead just before the interval.
Neto received a yellow card shortly after for a foul committed moments later. Hull battled to contain Chelsea's momentum as the half concluded. The home side entered half-time trailing by a single, crucial goal.
The break offered Hull City a chance to regroup and find an attacking spark. For Chelsea, the focus was on maintaining their dominance. They aimed to secure the win with more goals in the second period.
Chelsea started the second half with renewed intensity, pushing for an immediate second. It did not take long for them to double their advantage. In the 51st minute, Pedro Neto struck again, firing home his second goal of the match.
Just eight minutes later, the tie was effectively sealed. Young Estêvão added Chelsea’s third goal. Liam Delap registered another assist, delivering a sharp ball that Estêvão expertly guided into the net. This further deflated the Tigers' hopes.
Substitutions followed from both benches, with Reece James and Moisés Caicedo entering for Chelsea. Hull made changes too, but their efforts to mount a comeback proved futile. The visitors maintained their firm grip on the game.
Pedro Neto completed his magnificent hat-trick in the 71st minute. Liam Delap provided his third assist of the evening, showcasing a fantastic creative display. Neto's third strike underlined Chelsea's complete superiority on the night.
The statistics highlighted Chelsea's command, with 77% ball possession. They recorded 8 shots on target from 13 total attempts. Hull City, in contrast, managed just 2 shots on target and registered an expected goals (xG) figure of 0.
