Liam Rosenior has commenced his Chelsea managerial career on a positive note, securing a convincing 5-1 victory against Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup third round. This win marks his first game in charge and propels Chelsea into the fourth round of the competition.

Rosenior, who was appointed after Enzo Maresca's departure, acknowledged the significance of a strong start. Speaking after the game, he highlighted the "real positives" he observed from his team's performance. He made eight changes to the lineup following Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Fulham, giving opportunities to players who had been on the fringes of the first team.

The goals were scored by a diverse group of players, including Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez. Rosenior expressed his delight with the starting XI, particularly praising the front three of Alejandro Garnacho, Marc Guiu, and Jamie Gittens. He noted Garnacho's persistence, Guiu's deserving goal, and Gittens's impactful runs against the defenders.

Despite the positive result, Rosenior is aware of the challenges ahead, especially with a Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal looming on Wednesday. He had rested key players like Cole Palmer and Reece James, keeping in mind their recent injury concerns and the need for careful management of their game time.

The match at The Valley saw a strong Chelsea performance, especially in the second half, although they were initially slow to start. After a somewhat shaky first half-hour, Hato broke the deadlock with a superb strike. The victory was achieved with a rotated squad, as Rosenior aims to assess his options and integrate his ideas. While the scoreline suggests a comfortable win, undercurrents of discontent remain among some of the Chelsea supporters.

Rosenior's appointment comes after a period of success with Strasbourg, where he led the team to a UEFA Conference League spot. He has signed a six-year contract with Chelsea and is keen to make a significant impact. Acknowledging the need to quickly adapt and deliver results, Rosenior conveyed his message to the players about the importance of being "a winning Chelsea manager". His first major decision was considered to be his choice not to take charge for the Fulham game, giving him more preparation time for the FA Cup tie.