This report details the FA Cup fourth-round match between Hull City and Chelsea, focusing on team news, pre-match build-up, and key statistical points. The fixture holds particular significance as it marks the return of Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior to his former club, Hull City, where he previously held the managerial role.
Pre-Match Landscape
The FA Cup fourth round presented a slate of matches, with the Hull City vs. Chelsea encounter scheduled for Friday, February 13, 2026, at 19:45 GMT. The tie was to be broadcast on BBC One and TNT Sports 1 in the UK. Other notable fixtures in the round included Wrexham vs. Ipswich, Burton vs. West Ham, and Manchester City vs. Salford.
Key aspects observed include:
The FA Cup fourth round featured multiple fixtures across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The match between Hull City and Chelsea was a significant event, drawing considerable attention.
Managerial movements and past affiliations played a role in the narrative surrounding the tie.
Team Dynamics and Preparations
Both Hull City and Chelsea were observed to be making significant adjustments to their starting lineups. Hull City's manager, Liam Rosenior, opted for "sweeping changes," with seven alterations made to the team that had recently drawn against Leeds. This suggests a prioritization of other competitions for Hull.
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Chelsea also saw a notable number of changes, with seven players being rotated out from their previous fixture.
| Team | Manager | Formation | Key Personnel Changes Noted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hull City | Liam Rosenior | 4-2-3-1 | Seven changes from previous match. |
| Chelsea | Sergej Jakirovic | 3-4-2-1 | Seven changes including Cole Palmer, Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, Joao Pedro. |
Key observations on team strategies:
Hull City's manager, Liam Rosenior, implemented substantial squad rotation.
Chelsea also made significant changes to their starting eleven.
The context of the EFL suggests Hull may be prioritizing league performance over the FA Cup.
Managerial Background and Sentiment
The return of Liam Rosenior to Hull City was a prominent narrative thread. Rosenior, who managed Hull City in a previous season before being dismissed after failing to reach the play-offs, expressed that his experience at the club was instrumental in his career development. He indicated that while the occasion would be emotional for him and his family, sentimentality would be set aside on the pitch as he aimed to guide Chelsea to the next round.
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Managerial context:
Liam Rosenior was previously manager of Hull City.
His dismissal from Hull occurred after a season where play-off qualification was missed.
Rosenior stated the experience at Hull was vital for his growth.
Head-to-Head and Player Statistics
Historically, Hull City has faced a challenging record against Chelsea, having lost their last eight encounters. For Chelsea, Enzo Fernández has demonstrated a strong record in the FA Cup, contributing to five goals in seven appearances (3 goals, 2 assists). His performance in domestic cup matches against lower-division teams is also notable, with four goals and two assists in eight games.
Statistical highlights:
Hull City has a negative historical record against Chelsea, with eight consecutive losses.
Enzo Fernández has a strong offensive output in FA Cup fixtures for Chelsea.
Match Details and Broadcast Information
The match was set to commence at 19:45 GMT on Friday, February 13, 2026. Broadcasts were scheduled for BBC One and TNT Sports 1 in the UK. Live radio commentary was available via BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Radio Humberside.
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Broadcast and access:
The match was scheduled for Friday evening.
UK television coverage was provided by BBC One and TNT Sports 1.
Radio commentary was accessible through BBC outlets.
Other FA Cup Fixtures
The FA Cup fourth round featured a series of other matches, including Wrexham vs. Ipswich, which also generated pre-match interest, particularly concerning player sentiments towards former clubs. Kieffer Moore and Nathan Broadhead were highlighted for their roles in Ipswich Town's progression, with Broadhead expressing a desire to perform well against his old team.
Contextual FA Cup fixtures:
Wrexham vs. Ipswich was another notable fixture in the fourth round.
Player emotions and past affiliations were also discussed in relation to other matches.
Sources:
Hull vs Chelsea - FA Cup LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15556941/Hull-vs-Chelsea-fourth-round-2025-26-FA-Cup-LIVE-Result.html?postId=KoADWJwBZeC9xJZvYbjM
Hull City vs Chelsea: FA Cup stats & head-to-head: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c98g4jxd8jpt
Hull City v Chelsea: FA Cup fourth round – live: https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/feb/13/hull-city-v-chelsea-fa-cup-fourth-round-live
Hull City vs Chelsea live: FA Cup fourth-round score and latest updates: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/02/13/hull-city-vs-chelsea-live-fa-cup-fourth-round-score-latest/
Hull vs Chelsea: FA Cup - LIVE: https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/hull-vs-chelsea-fc-live-stream-latest-score-updates-result-fa-cup-b1270978.html
Hull v Chelsea live: FA Cup text updates, stats, goals from fourth round: https://www.101greatgoals.com/football/chelsea-v-hull-live-updates-stats-fa-cup/
Hull City vs Chelsea live online: score, stats, goals & updates | FA Cup 2025/26: https://en.as.com/soccer/hull-city-vs-chelsea-live-online-score-stats-goals-updates-fa-cup-202526-f202602-n/
FA Cup LIVE: Build-up, team news, scores and live text updates from the fourth round of the FA Cup: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cq5yyn3j316t
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