Pedro Neto scores Chelsea hat-trick as Liam Rosenior earns win on return to Hull

Pedro Neto (left) scored a hat-trick for Chelsea at Hull. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA

Pedro Neto scored a hat-trick as Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior’s first return to former club Hull ended in a comfortable 4-0 victory in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Neto’s superb 18-yard effort gave Chelsea an interval lead and after he struck again direct from a corner early in the second half, Brazil forward Estevao put the tie to bed just before the hour-mark.

Portugal winger Neto completed his hat-trick with 19 minutes remaining, while Championship promotion-chasers Hull never threatened to cause an upset.

Rosenior’s reign as Chelsea boss began in January with a thumping 5-1 win at Charlton in the third round and on an emotional return to the MKM Stadium – where he was a former player and manager – the Londoners cruised into the last 16.

Aside from defeats in both legs of Chelsea’s League Cup semi-final against Arsenal, Rosenior has now won eight and drawn one of his nine other matches in charge in all competitions.