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Against a backdrop of sleet, flurries, and a biting wind from the waters of the Humber Estuary, combined with a resolute home side fighting for a top-flight place, this presented all the ingredients of a difficult evening’s work for the visitors.

"We could have scored more but the opposition are a strong team and it was a difficult fixture; I’m very pleased with the performance," the manager stated. "This club is very special to me so it was great to get a good reception from the fans of supporters. The application of the lads was superb."

The Chelsea manager holds this city close to his heart, considering some of his relatives are from Hull and his successful period in management of the Tigers. This happy association was extended with a magnificent display from his team, who in the end sauntered into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Clinical Finishing Seals Comprehensive Victory

Seventy-two hours after letting slip a 2-0 advantage in the Premier League, there was a sniff of vulnerability about them going into this intriguing cup clash. The capacity Hull support clearly sensed it too, but the London side navigated the task perfectly.

Rosenior made alterations, enacting seven of them to his starting lineup. The match might and perhaps ought to have been decided earlier than it eventually was, with both the Brazilian winger and Liam Delap guilty of spurning excellent opportunities to put their side ahead in the first half.

But, fortunately for the away team, Pedro Neto was in a far more clinical mood. He opened the scoring with a marvellous long-range strike, which acted as the catalyst for Chelsea to take command of proceedings. By full time, they had four, with Neto netting a trio of them for a brilliant hat-trick.

Delap's Response and Impact

Hull showed plenty of fight throughout, but the better opportunities consistently fell Chelsea’s way. The winger should have opened the deadlock when he went past goalkeeper Dillon Phillips before unbelievably shooting over. The striker then had a comparable horror incident in front of goal against his former club.

He deflected a the goalkeeper's kick which bounced back from the bar, and Delap began to run away believing the ball had gone over the line. It had not, and by the time he understood, Hull's defenders had responded to clear the danger.

The player had his head in his hands after that moment, but he was hugely influential from there on out, registering 3 assists. The opening was for the first goal as his pass set up his teammate to score from outside the box. Six minutes after the restart, it was two as Neto's corner went directly in under Phillips's legs.

Contest Sealed and Focus Turns

Soon after Neto’s second goal, the match was put beyond doubt as a magnificent run from the forward laid on Estêvão to tap into an unguarded goal. Neto then completed his hat-trick as the provider once again delivered the decisive ball for the striker to coolly slot past a stranded Phillips.

By that stage, the work Hull had put in in the opening half-hour had been erased. Their priority must now return to securing a return to the top division under Sergej Jakirovic, who left out a number of first-choice players with that goal in mind.

"I think we deserved at least one goal but if we play like this we will be in a strong position in the Championship," the Hull manager commented. "Keep fighting, maybe in the upcoming games this can be a good example of how we should play."

There was great effort to the end, and they almost got a late goal when Lewis Koumas struck a post in stoppage time. But this was Chelsea’s night, and another positive step forward for their new manager at a place he is familiar with very well.

FA Cup Omens Are Promising

The result resulted in an ultimately routine evening’s work, and the cup competition signs are positive from here for Chelsea. They have faced Hull on three other occasions in this tournament in the last decade and on each occasion, they have progressed to reach the final. There is still work in that regard, but this was another significant tick for Rosenior.