Pedro Neto of Chelsea FC and Liam Delap of Chelsea FC celebrate Estevao of Chelsea FC's goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Hull City and Chelsea at the MKM Stadium in Kingston upon Hull, England, on February 13, 2026. (Photo by Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty ImagesDavid PasztorMon, February 16, 2026 at 4:02 AM UTC·3 min read1. PEDRO NETO (8.9)
Neto has been mired in a rather lengthy slump, despite his near-constant presence in the starting lineup — availability is always a good ability! — so it’s great to see him break out (hopefully) with a match-winning performance. The hat-trick also gives him 10 goals for the season, setting a new career high, and making him the third player with double-digits goals in all competitions already this season (after João Pedro and Enzo Fernández).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHead coach Liam Rosenior laid it on a bit thick with the praise for Pedro after the game, but if he can find a bit of form and finish the second half of the season as strong as he did last season, that would be quite helpful.
2. LIAM DELAP (7.5)
At the end of the first half, Delap was well on course for a very low rating, and not just because he passed up a literal open goal.
At the end of the game, he was in the conversation for Man of the Match, finishing the day with a hat-trick of assists. The two in the second half were particularly impressive.
It’s not been an easy first season for Delap, with lots of mistakes and questionable decisions. But we could see the promise there in this one. It feels like he still has a lot to learn however.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I thought it was in. Obviously I was stupid, I should have just put it in but these things happen and I’ll learn from it for next time. I thought it went in and was waiting for the referee to blow his whistle. It was silly from me but I thought it was in.”
-Liam Delap; source: The Standard
3. MAMADOU SARR (7.4)
Technically not a debut as Sarr did play the final ten minutes or so in our 3-0 win over Espérance Tunis at the Club World Cup, but this was his first start for Chelsea, and he was as good as we might have expected after his performances for Strasbourg as well as for Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations. Should’ve had an assist, too, when Estêvão shockingly missed the open net.
vs. HULL CITY (FAC, A, W 4-0)
EXCEPTIONAL (8.5-9.5): Neto (8.9)
EXCELLENT (7.5-8.4): Delap (7.5)
GOOD (6.5-7.4): Sarr (7.4), Santos (7.3), Estêvão (7.1), Hato (7.0), Fofana (6.9), Caicedo (6.8), Sánchez (6.6), James (6.6)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAVERAGE (5.5-6.4): Enzo (6.4, sub), Acheampong (6.3, sub), Derry (6.3, sub), Mheuka (5.9, sub), Tosin (5.8, sub), Garnacho (5.6)
SUBPAR (4.5-5.4): —
BAD (3.5-4.4): —
TERRIBLE (2.5-3.4): —
OVERALL
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