Chelsea moved through to the FA Cup fifth round with a commanding 4-0 victory over Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Friday, February 13, 2026, Pedro Neto scoring a first senior hat-trick for the club and Estêvão adding the third for the visitors. The result came on the night Liam Rosenior returned to the ground where he previously managed, and it reinforced Chelsea's cup momentum under their new boss.
Key facts and context
The match was a fourth-round tie in the 2025-26 FA Cup, played at Hull's MKM Stadium in bitterly cold conditions with intermittent snow flurries. Chelsea took the lead five minutes before half time, Neto converting from distance, and he then added a spectacular second early in the second half by curling a corner directly into the net. Estêvão finished a well-worked move to make it 3-0, and Neto completed his treble with 19 minutes to play after another assist from Liam Delap. Hull made several changes to prioritise their Championship campaign, and their manager signalled that the squad selection reflected a focus on promotion.
Match overview
First half
Chelsea started the stronger side and created the clearest chances, though Hull had moments of promise and tested Chelsea's goalkeeper. Neto's long-range strike in the 40th minute gave the visitors a deserved lead going into the break.
Second half
Chelsea quickly extended their advantage, when Neto's corner beat everyone to bounce in off the goalkeeper, and the tie was effectively settled when Estêvão converted after slick buildup that underlined Chelsea's superiority on the night. Neto's third came from quality interplay with Delap, completing a night in which the Portuguese winger enjoyed clinical finishing.
A dominant performance, delivered with professionalism and pace, that left little room for Hull to stage a cup upset
Tactical notes
- Chelsea rotated their squad, but still produced a high-tempo attacking display, pressing from the front and creating overloads down the flanks.
- Hull, managed by Sergej Jakirović, fielded a changed XI with an eye on Championship fixtures, which left gaps that Chelsea exploited, particularly on transitions and from set pieces.
Formations (approximate)
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Hull City (approx): 4 2 3 1
Chelsea (approx): 4 3 3
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Liam Delap's mobility and link-up with the wide forwards, particularly Neto, was decisive, while Chelsea's defence handled Hull's limited direct threats with composure.
Statistics at a glance
Category | Hull City | Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
Final score | 0 | 4 |
Possession | 24% | 76% |
Shots (total) | 5 | 13 |
Shots on target | 1 | 3 |
Corners | 1 | 10 |
Notable scorers | — | Pedro Neto (40, 51, 71), Estêvão (59) |
Possession and set-piece dominance underpinned Chelsea's control, while Hull's reduced possession reflected a tactical choice to prioritise defensive shape and conserve energy for league objectives.
Key performers
- Pedro Neto, Chelsea: Hat-trick and the clear match-winner, converting a long-range effort, an unusual goal from a corner, and a composed finish to complete his treble.
- Estêvão, Chelsea: Composed finish to make the tie safe, continuing a strong season for the young Brazilian.
- Liam Delap, Chelsea: Three assists and important off-the-ball movement, even if he missed earlier chances.
- Dillon Phillips, Hull: Made a number of saves that prevented an even earlier collapse, though the defensive unit conceded pressure from Chelsea's rotations.
Reactions and wider context
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, returning to the ground where he once worked, was left with a comfortable victory and praise for the intensity his side showed. For Hull, the result was a cup exit, but their manager underlined that the priority remains the Championship promotion push, which informed his team selection.
Off the field, the match saw crowd disturbances and reports of offensive chanting, with local police making arrests after warnings were issued during the game. Both clubs and authorities moved quickly to condemn abusive behaviour and to stress that discriminatory chants are unacceptable.
What this means for both teams
- Chelsea advance to the FA Cup fifth round, gaining momentum and a morale boost for the squad during a busy domestic schedule.
- Hull City exit the competition, but remain focused on their league campaign, where squad rotation was a conscious strategic choice to protect promotion aspirations.
Multiple perspectives
From Chelsea's standpoint, the match was confirmation that squad depth and attacking talent can deliver comprehensive cup results, even with rotation. For Hull, the loss highlighted the risk of deprioritising cup ties during a promotion push, though it also preserved players for what the club regards as a more important objective, returning to the Premier League.
Fans and media
Reactions were mixed among supporters. Chelsea fans celebrated a landmark night for Neto, while some Hull supporters expressed frustration at the cup exit, and others defended Jakirović's pragmatic selection policy given the league calendar.
Looking ahead
Chelsea will prepare for their next fixtures in domestic competition, buoyed by the cup progression and Neto's form in knockout matches. Hull must regroup quickly and refocus on the Championship schedule, where points remain the priority for the rest of the season.
Bottom line
A one-sided FA Cup night at the MKM Stadium put Chelsea through to the last 16, thanks to a career night from Pedro Neto and a convincing team display that exposed the consequences of Hull's rotated lineup. The result carries immediate cup significance for Chelsea and reinforces the tough trade-offs clubs face when balancing cup ambition with league objectives.