Liam Rosenior began his reign as Chelsea head coach by overseeing a dominant display that saw off Championship side Charlton in the FA Cup third round.
Jorrel Hato and Tosin Adarabioyo scored before Miles Leaburn pulled one back during an exciting second half at a soldout Valley stadium in south-east London.
Marc Guiu restored the two-goal advantage and then substitutes Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez added gloss to the scoreline through goals in added time.
In the first half, Charlton looked threatening early on, with a few wayward strikes on Chelsea’s goal from Lloyd Jones and Tyreece Campbell. Yet, aside from a blocked Greg Docherty shot, Chelsea dominated possession, had five efforts saved, and eventually found the breakthrough before the interval.
Hato, 19, smashed a half-volley into the top corner in first-half stoppage time after Keenan Gough failed to clear his lines. It was Hato’s first goal for the club, having earlier miscued a header from close range.
Just five minutes after the restart, defender Adarabioyo doubled the lead by guiding Facundo Buonanotte’s deep free-kick into the net with a deft header.
Alejandro Garnacho curled just wide from outside the box, but Charlton remained competitive. Jones headed wide and Charlie Kelman saw a close-range shot blocked before Leaburn pulled one back from a corner after Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen sensationally saved Jones’ initial effort.
That joy was short-lived as Guiu, 19, restored the two-goal advantage from close range.
Substitutes Fernandez, Estevao Willian and Liam Delap all had chances to extend the lead before Pedro Neto, who also came off the bench, smashed in another goal in added time to make it 4-1.
Fernandez scored a penalty with the last kick of the match after Estevao was brought down in the box.
Cole Palmer was rested with a Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal to come on Wednesday, while Rosenior cut a calm figure despite protest songs at the ownership as his new side reached the fourth-round draw.
For Charlton, this was the glamour tie they craved. The fact it was Rosenior’s first match was the last thing on their minds.
Addicks boss Nathan Jones, who coached Rosenior at Brighton, had hoped for a tie of this calibre, and it delivered – complete with a firework display for supporters to underline that this was no ordinary match.
It was extra special given Charlton had not hosted ‘big six’ opposition since they were last in the Premier League in 2007. There was plenty of effort from their players, but ultimately the gulf in quality told.
Off the field, the difference between the club’s financial power is stark – Charlton’s record signing remains Jason Euell for a reported £4.75m in 2001, while Chelsea’s squad is worth more than £1bn and includes £115m former British transfer record signing Moises Caicedo.
Yet, in the first half at least, it did not look like there were 31 places between the two teams.
Chelsea dominated with 77.8% possession and had five shots on target, but frustrated their own supporters – who also protested against the hierarchy throughout the match – chanting “attack, attack, attack”.
That away support continued to chant against the current ownership – and for former owner Roman Abramovich – throughout the match.
It highlights the febrile atmosphere the new manager has walked into and the tricky line he must tread to win over both fans and his employers.
Ultimately, Rosenior had them cheering. A goal just before half-time eased his young squad’s nerves; they then added a second, responded to a setback, and added gloss to the scoreline as big-name players Neto, Estevao and Fernandez came off the bench.
In terms of handling an emotional FA Cup tie, this was a good blueprint for any big club and lays down a marker for what might be possible under a bright, young – if inexperienced – manager.
Of course, his approach – not yet so different from predecessor Enzo Maresca – works against opposition with such vastly inferior resources, and he will face tougher tests. League leaders Arsenal on Wednesday in a semi-final is not a bad place to start tackling the really big challenges.
Charlton next host Sheffield United at The Valley in the Championship on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final (20:00 GMT) before returning to Premier League action at home to Brentford on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
