Charlton Athletic F.C. vs Chelsea F.C. Lineups: Confirmed Teams

Chelsea’s 5-1 victory at The Valley on January 10, 2026, gave Liam Rosenior a dream debut as manager—but the story began before kickoff with a leaked lineup and eight squad changes. The FA Cup third-round result against Charlton Athletic showcased Rosenior’s intent to overhaul Enzo Maresca’s approach from day one.

Date: 10 Jan 2026 · Competition: FA Cup 2025/26 · Score: Charlton 1–5 Chelsea · Venue: The Valley, London

Has Charlton ever beaten Chelsea?

Chelsea’s modern dominance makes historical wins against them rare, but Charlton Athletic have tasted victory over the Blues in FA Cup competition before. A memorable result saw Charlton overcome Chelsea with a 4-2 scoreline in a previous encounter, a result documented by Sky Sports as part of the clubs’ storied history in this competition.

Notable past results

The head-to-head record between these clubs reveals that Charlton have managed to defeat Chelsea on multiple occasions across all competitions. Their 4-2 triumph remains one of the more surprising results in recent memory, showcasing that giant-killing acts are not entirely foreign to south London.

Charlton 4 Chelsea 2

This specific result stands out as a reminder that despite Chelsea’s resources and historical success, Charlton Athletic have always been capable of causing upsets when the two sides meet. The Sky Sports record of this match highlights its significance in the clubs’ shared history.

Who leaked Chelsea’s line up?

Before the match even began, there was controversy surrounding Chelsea’s squad. Reports emerged that team selection details had been leaked ahead of the fixture, prompting intervention from new manager Liam Rosenior. The situation raised questions about internal communications and information security within the club.

Liam Rosenior statement

Speaking about the situation, Rosenior addressed the matter directly. According to Sports Illustrated, he stated that Chelsea had dealt with the individual responsible for the team leak. The new manager made clear that this issue had been resolved internally before the Charlton fixture.

Chelsea’s response

The club’s official response came through Rosenior’s public statement, confirming that appropriate action had been taken regarding the security breach. Sports Illustrated reported that the matter was treated seriously and resolved prior to kick-off at The Valley.

Confirmed Charlton vs Chelsea Lineups

The confirmed team sheets for this FA Cup third-round tie came from official sources, with ChelseaFC.com publishing the Blues’ lineup and BBC providing Charlton Athletic’s selection. Both clubs named strong starting elevens for this historic fixture marking Rosenior’s managerial debut.

Charlton starting XI

Charlton Athletic’s lineup for this match featured Will Mannion in goal, protected by a defensive line of Keenan Gough, Lloyd Jones, and Amari’i Bell. The midfield comprised James Bree, Conor Coventry, and Sonny Carey, with Greg Docherty captaining the side. Up front, Miles Leaburn and Charlie Kelman led the attacking line. Sports Illustrated confirmed these selections from their team news coverage.

Chelsea starting XI

Liam Rosenior made eight changes from the side that Enzo Maresca had been selecting, demonstrating his approach to squad rotation from the outset. Filip Jørgensen started in goal for Chelsea. The back four consisted of Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoît Badiashile, and Jorrel Hato. In midfield, Moisés Caicedo captained the side alongside Andrey Santos. The attacking threat came from Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Buonanotte, and Jamie Gittens, with Marc Guiu leading the line as striker. The Chelsea FC official website confirmed this lineup.

Substitutes

Chelsea named a bench featuring additional squad players as Rosenior assessed his options. The match provided opportunities for players who had seen limited action under the previous management regime, with Adarabioyo, Hato, and Guiu all featuring prominently in the refreshed approach.

Charlton Athletic FC vs Chelsea FC Stats and Prediction

The statistical narrative of this match tells a story of dominance from the visitors. Chelsea controlled possession, created chances, and converted them clinically against a Championship side that struggled to contain the Premier League club’s attacking variety.

Head-to-head stats

The historical matchup between these clubs shows Chelsea have generally dominated, though Charlton have achieved notable upsets, including their 4-2 victory in previous FA Cup meetings. The most recent encounter continued that pattern of Chelsea supremacy.

Goal scorers

Jorrel Hato opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 49th minute. Tosin Adarabioyo doubled the lead just a minute later in the 50th minute. Marc Guiu added the third goal in the 62nd minute before Miles Leaburn scored Charlton’s sole goal in the 57th minute. Pedro Neto scored Chelsea’s fourth goal in the 91st minute, and Enzo Fernández completed the 5-1 victory from a penalty kick in the 94th minute. Sky Sports documented each goal and its timing.

Form guide

Chelsea arrived at this fixture on the back of inconsistent Premier League form under Maresca, making the cup performance particularly encouraging. Charlton had been competing in the Championship with aspirations of promotion, though their cup run ended decisively against top-tier opposition.

Who is No. 9 Chelsea?

The Chelsea number 9 shirt has carried significant weight in recent years, with the club having invested heavily in centre-forward positions. For this FA Cup fixture, Marc Guiu led the line as the designated striker, though the question of who wears the iconic number 9 continues to intrigue fans.

Liam Delap profile

Liam Delap has emerged as a target for Chelsea in their striker recruitment. The young England-born forward has developed a reputation for physical presence and goal-scoring ability in the Premier League. Wikipedia and various transfer reports have linked Delap with a potential move to Stamford Bridge, where he would compete for the number 9 position. Sports Illustrated and other outlets have covered these transfer links extensively, though no deal had been confirmed at the time of this match.

Match Timeline and Key Moments

The FA Cup third-round tie between Charlton Athletic and Chelsea on January 10, 2026, produced a cascade of goals after an even opening period. The match timeline reveals how Rosenior’s altered starting XI responded to the challenge of a competitive fixture.

• 21:00 GMT — Kick-off at The Valley, London
• 49th minute — Jorrel Hato opens scoring for Chelsea
• 50th minute — Tosin Adarabioyo doubles Chelsea’s lead
• 57th minute — Miles Leaburn pulls one back for Charlton
• 62nd minute — Marc Guiu extends Chelsea’s advantage
• 91st minute — Pedro Neto makes it 4-1
• 94th minute — Enzo Fernández scores from penalty spot
• Final whistle — Chelsea progress 5-1 victors

“Goals from Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo and Marc Guiu — three players of whom little had been seen in the final months of former boss Enzo Maresca’s reign — completed a straightforward assignment before Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández from the penalty spot added the gloss late on.”

— ESPN Match Report (Sports Editorial)

Tosin Adarabioyo’s performance earned him Player of the Match recognition, with Football-Lineups.com confirming the award. His goal and overall display suggested he could be a valuable asset under the new manager’s system, having seen limited opportunities previously.

Chris Kavanagh officiated the match, with 26,475 spectators in attendance at The Valley to witness Chelsea’s comprehensive victory. The match referee had no significant incidents requiring intervention beyond standard bookings, as ESPN reported on their match coverage.

“Liam Rosenior turned to Chelsea’s second string for his first game in charge as his new team thrashed Charlton 5-1 at the Valley to ease into the fourth round of the FA Cup.”

— ESPN Match Report (Sports Editorial)

Rosenior’s tactical decisions paid immediate dividends, with players thrust into the starting lineup delivering goals and clean sheets where Maresca’s preferred XI had struggled for consistency.

Who beat Chelsea 7/0 in 1991?

Chelsea suffered one of their heaviest defeats in 1991 when Nottingham Forestbeat them 7-0 in a Premier League fixture. The result remains a stark reminder that even against established top-flight opposition, Chelsea’s defence could capitulate during that era.

Charlton vs Chelsea: Key Facts Table

The match details below compile official records from Sky Sports and Chelsea FC sources, confirming the basic parameters of the fixture.

The data confirms Chelsea’s tactical setup matched the confirmed 4-2-3-1 formation, while Charlton’s 3-1-4-2 allowed numerical superiority in midfield at the cost of defensive solidity.

Related reading: Chelsea F.C. vs Djurgårdens IF Fotboll Lineups: Confirmed XI · Chelsea F.C. vs Djurgårdens IF Fotboll Lineups: Confirmed

Frequently asked questions