Chelsea began the Liam Rosenior era with a convincing 5-1 FA Cup win over Charlton Athletic, but supporter unrest again dominated the narrative. The new head coach oversaw a controlled and clinical performance from a rotated side, securing progress to the fourth round, yet chants against the club’s owners echoed throughout the match. Rosenior, appointed following the messy exit of Enzo Maresca, became the fifth Chelsea coach under the ownership of Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly, a fact not lost on disgruntled fans.
Chelsea took control late in the first half through a goal from Jorrel Hato before extending their lead after the break via Tosin Adarabioyo. Defensive lapses allowed Charlton a brief route back when Miles Leaburn scored from a corner, but Chelsea responded well. Goals from Marc Guiu and Pedro Neto restored dominance, while teenage star Estevão Willian impressed off the bench and won a late penalty converted by Enzo Fernández. Despite the emphatic scoreline and promising cameos, resentment towards the ownership lingered, underlining the fragile mood surrounding Chelsea’s latest rebuild.
