How ‘outstanding’ Pedro Neto ended extraordinary 117-year-old club drought in Chelsea’s big FA Cup victory at Hull City

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Chelsea forward Pedro Neto moved onto seven goals for the season with a hat-trick against Hull City on Friday night at the MKM Stadium in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round. The Portuguese was hailed by his head coach Liam Rosenior and the three goals also broke an intriguing record for the club - one that had stood for more than a century until he completed his haul.

Highlights: Neto hat-trick steers Chelsea into FA Cup fifth round

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Pedro Neto scored the first Friday hat-trick for Chelsea in more than 100 years as he propelled his side to a 4-0 win over Hull City in the Emirates FA Cup.

The forward was playing in an unfamiliar No. 10 role at the MKM Stadium, and Liam Rosenior’s tactical conceit worked to brilliant effect.

Neto grabbed one in the first half and a brace in the second as the Blues were ultimately able to cruise to victory and progress into the fifth round.

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William Estevao scored the other goal for the away side in a comfortable win, but it was Neto who made history.

According to Opta, his hat-trick was the first for a Chelsea player since 1909, when George Hildson scored three goals for the side.

Writing on their X account, Opta explained: "1909 - Pedro Neto's hat-trick tonight was the first by a Chelsea player on a Friday since George Hilsdon scored three against Middlesbrough in January 1909, and the first ever by a top-flight player in a match on Friday the 13th. Freaky."

Speaking on his hat-trick, Neto told the official Chelsea website: "‘Really pleased.

"I think the mentality of the team was amazing, we came to a tough place, winning 4-0 away.

"This competition is really tough, so we are really happy to go through to the next round.

"To be honest, on the second goal, I was in doubt if it was mine or not, at the end of the game, I went to the referee and asked whether it was a hat-trick or not. Did I have the right to the ball? He said, "Yeah, yeah, you have the right!"

"But most of all, I'm happy that we went through, we did an unbelievable performance against a tough team away and I think it's a well-deserved win."

It appeared at first that Chelsea's second goal of the night was scored by Jorrel Hato from a Pedro Neto corner but it quickly emerged that this was in fact not the case and that the corner went in directly.

'Really classy football' - Neto seals first senior hat-trick with pinpoint finish

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Neto said: "'Jorrel said to me, 'It’s your goal, I didn’t touch the ball!!

"I didn't celebrate a lot of the goal because I didn't notice; there was a lot of confusion but in the end, I'm really happy it was.

"I'm really happy to score three goals, but most of all happy that the team went through."

It was also Neto's first senior hat-trick for any club and the Portuguese confirmed there would be celebrations to mark it.

"‘It's my first senior hat trick," he said.

"So we'll have a party tonight! It means a lot, I will continue to work hard to give the fans and my teammates happiness and more goals like this - so I’m really happy."

Rosenior delighted for ‘outstanding’ Neto

For the 25-year-old Portuguese forward, it brought his tally to 10 goals for the season in all competitions - one more than he managed throughout his debut campaign at the club.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Rosenior was full of praise for Neto, and also picked out Alejandro Garnacho and Estevao as he lauded the team’s determination and commitment on the pitch.

He explained: "From minute one to minute 94 he ran himself into the ground. Playing in the No. 10 position, he's tracking back, he's pressing.

'He's got so much' - Rosenior heaps praise on hat-trick hero Neto

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"He gets what's coming to him, the goals. Garnacho, Estevao, they're outstanding players. What I really like is the work-rate and the energy of the team. For us to be successful this year, that has to be there."

Asked what Neto can give to the team in the new, slightly withdrawn role, Rosenior added: "He's got so much good. He can play every position in the front line.

"He played up front against Barcelona earlier in the season and he was outstanding there.

"I was really happy for him because he got the reward with those goals. Those goals should give him confidence for the rest of the season."

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