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Chelsea Goalscorer Jorrel Hato said the Blues showed the fight and intensity “demanded” by the new head coach. Liam Rosenior during Saturday’s 5-1 FA Cup defeat Charlton.
There will be tougher tests ahead as Chelsea attempt to rebuild their season under the former Hull City manager, but there was much to admire in the way a much-changed team coped with the hostile atmosphere at The Valley before overcoming their Championship opponents in the second half.
Hato gave Chelsea the lead in stoppage time before the break with a superb half-volley, his first goal for the club, turning what had been a tricky match in front of a raucous south London crowd into a much more comfortable afternoon.
“We knew it would be a tough game,” said Hato, who was given a rare start after being used sparingly by former manager Enzo Maresca. “We expected Charlton to be physical, play a lot of long balls and have a lot of duels all over the pitch.
“But we knew if we matched the energy our quality would have to show and I think it showed in the end.”
Rosenior made eight changes to his team, but Chelsea have been particularly impressive in the way players with limited recent involvement have slotted in seamlessly. Hato said the manager’s message before kick-off was clear.
“The coach made it clear to us before this match that we had to show a lot of fight. He demanded that intensity from us and it worked. To win 5-1 is very good.”
Chelsea doubled their lead shortly after half-time when Tosin Adarabioyo headed home Facundo Buonanotte’s free-kick, before Charlton briefly revived the game through Miles Leaburn.
Any hope of a comeback was short-lived, however, as Marc Guiu restored Chelsea’s two-goal lead by converting a rebound.
Appearances from substitutes Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez added more control and polish late in the game, with both scoring in added time.
Hato’s opening goal was the main talking point of Rosenior’s first match, although the former Ajax defender admitted he did not expect the strike to find the net.
“To be honest, I was a little surprised when it happened, that’s why I didn’t really celebrate,” he said.
“I like being able to help both offensively and defensively. This is a new role for me because during my time at Ajax I only played as a defender.
“Maresca wanted me to reverse and join the attacks before and now the new manager has asked the same thing of me.
“It’s a new role but I’m happy to play it and I’m really enjoying the first days under the gaffer.”
