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Received yesterday β€” 13 February 2026

Pedro Neto fires hat-trick as Chelsea provide Rosenior with happy return to Hull

13 February 2026 at 16:57

With sleet, snow, swirling wind from the banks of the Humber and most importantly, a Hull City side pushing hard for promotion to the Premier League this season, it was hard not to believe pre-match that this had all the makings of a difficult evening’s work for Chelsea.

Liam Rosenior holds this city close to his heart, given how some of his family hail from Hull and he had an enjoyable spell in charge of the Tigers: well, until he was unceremoniously sacked nearly two years ago, that is. But his happy association with Hull continued with a magnificent display from his Chelsea side, who ultimately sauntered into the next round of the FA Cup.

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Β© Photograph: Scott Heppell/Reuters

Β© Photograph: Scott Heppell/Reuters

Β© Photograph: Scott Heppell/Reuters

Hull City v Chelsea: FA Cup fourth round – live

13 February 2026 at 13:53

⚽ FA Cup fourth-round updates, 7.45pm (GMT) kick-off
⚽ Live scoreboard | Follow us on Bluesky | Email John

First thing to say is that Hadziahmetovic will be tonight’s copy and paste player.

Hull: Phillips, Coyle, Egan, McNair, McCarthy, Giles, Hadziahmetovic, Slater, Hirakawa, Koumas, Millar. Subs: Pandur, Lunstram, Jacob, Drameh, Gerhardt, Joseph, Famewo, Dowell, Tinsdale

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Β© Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Β© Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Β© Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Toy tigers and Mike Tyson: inside Gary Bowyer’s Burton as they target Cup shock

13 February 2026 at 07:00

Manager’s unconventional techniques are designed to bring fun as well as results and he has West Ham in his sights

β€œAt times the players must think I’m bonkers,” says Gary Bowyer, the Burton Albion manager, volunteering the time he walked into the dressing room with a tennis racket and ball. It is one of the unconventional techniques he has used to convey his message and tap into their psyche. Every week he explores different themes and stories with his squad – be it bullfighting or UFC – and brings them to life through imagery and props, everything from dragons to toy tigers.

He has leaned into boxing and particularly Mike Tyson during an FA Cup run that has led them to a fourth-round tie at home to West Ham on Saturday. β€œThe theme for this week is The Ultimate,” he says, referencing Tyson’s 1987 bout with Tony Tucker to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. β€œWe’ve created this idea of climbing into the ring, the pitch, and away you go. We’re fighting West Ham and we’re going to have to take some blows. What do you do if you get knocked on to the canvas? Get back up or lay there and take it?”

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Β© Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian

Β© Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian

Β© Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian

Received before yesterday

FA Cup fourth round: 10 things to look out for this weekend

12 February 2026 at 19:01

Burnley have the chance of a Cup run, Leicester fear an unwelcome repeat and Brighton fans get a raw deal

Chelsea have kept two clean sheets in 10 games since appointing Liam Rosenior as head coach last month. Repeated doziness at the back has cost them. They have held commanding advantages against Charlton, Crystal Palace, Wolves and Leeds, only to give away silly goals. It is a bad habit and proved costly when a 2-0 lead was squandered during Tuesday’s draw with Leeds. Rosenior was livid afterwards, and is waiting for a consistent performance. Chelsea travel to Hull , Rosenior’s former club, on Friday night. They will surely advance against Championship opponents, but how they do it will matter. It is time for them to get serious. Jacob Steinberg

Hull City v Chelsea, Friday 7.45pm (all times GMT)

Burton Albion v West Ham, Saturday 12.15pm

Burnley v Mansfield, Saturday 3pm

Southampton v Leicester, Saturday 3pm

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Β© Composite: Getty Images

Β© Composite: Getty Images

Β© Composite: Getty Images

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