In freezing conditions that were ripe for an upset, Rosenior’s side produced a commanding display to dispatch their Championship opponents. Pedro Neto broke the deadlock late in the opening half and doubled our advantage directly from a corner early in the second period. 

Estevao Willian then struck our third of the evening before Liam Delap completed a hat-trick of assists by teeing up Neto to complete his treble. 

The victory ensured our progression to the FA Cup fifth round and Rosenior was delighted with the performance of every player in blue. 

He said: ‘I think the overall positive thing was the application of the team. I thought our pressing, our intensity, our work rate, and Pedro exemplified that to be honest, that's why he scores the goals that he does. 

‘I'm very lucky to have such talented players and what I'm really realising quickly is that they are not just good players, they’re outstanding professionals. I felt it was a really professional performance tonight against a very good team who are pushing for the Premier League.

‘This was not an easy game and some of our football was everything I want to see, but before that, the values of what the team stood for tonight made me a very happy coach.’ 

There were a couple of Chelsea firsts at the MKM Stadium. Mamadou Sarr made his full Chelsea debut after returning from a loan spell at Strasbourg in January, and in the second period, young winger Jesse Derry was handed his senior debut. 

But Rosenior continued to focus on the collective rather than the individuals in his post-match analysis. 

'Mamadou was everything that I expect,’ he said. ‘I know Mamadou so well and I think his acclimatisation and adaptation process will, hopefully, be fast because he already understands how I want to play.  

‘But I don't want to single a player out as I felt the whole team, from Alejandro Garnacho's energy, pressing and running, to Liam Delap, Estevao, the midfield players, the back unit, Rob Sanchez, I felt it was a really strong team performance. That is what makes me so happy this evening.’

Rosenior confirmed Cucurella was not included in the squad against Hull, as expected, due to the hamstring issue he sustained in midweek against Leeds. Palmer, meanwhile, didn’t travel as his minutes continued to be managed. 

There were positives on the fitness front, though. ‘It was brilliant to see Reece (James) back on the pitch,’ said the Blues head coach. ‘It was brilliant for him to get those 60 minutes.

'I was planning on giving Enzo (Fernandez) 45 minutes with Moi (Caicedo) as I'm trying to manage their minutes. In the end, I felt it was right for Moi to stay on for 60. 

‘I'm delighted they've all come through unscathed, and now for the first time in a long time, we’ve got a full week to prepare for Burnley.’