Liam Delap has admitted he made a ‘silly’ mistake after celebrating prematurely in Chelsea’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Hull on Friday night.
The Blues cruised through to the fifth round of the competition, with Pedro Neto bagging a hat-trick and Estevao also on target for Liam Rosenior’s side.
There was, however, a bizarre moment where Delap thought he’d scored.
The former Ipswich and Manchester City hitman closed down goalkeeper Dillon Phillips, only for the ball to hit the underside of the bar and bounce onto the line.
Delap thought he’d scored at first, with the 23-year-old starting to run in celebration.
However, after realising the ball was still in play, he was then unable to convert the rebound.
It made for strange viewing and, speaking after the match, the much-maligned Chelsea star admitted that he’d made a ‘silly’ error.
Liam Delap has scored just three goals for Chelsea since arriving from Ipswich
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REUTERS
“I swear on my life I almost ran off [the pitch],” he said.
“I thought it went in and then I was waiting for the ref to blow his whistle. Obviously, I should have waited for the ref to blow his whistle.
“It’s silly from me but yeah, crazy.”
Liam Delap on his miss: “I swear on my life I almost ran off, I thought it went in and was waiting for the referee to blow his whistle. It was silly from me but I thought it was in.”
(🎥 via @EmiratesFACup)
— ChelsTransfer (@ChelsTransfer) February 13, 2026
The moment left Alan Shearer utterly perplexed. Speaking on BBC commentary, the Premier League legend said: “Goodness me. What is Delap doing?
“It is as if he is thinking, ‘I have all the time in the world’. He ambles to it and he takes his time. What are you waiting for?
“Liam Delap has not had a good four minutes. He has given it away twice and missed a sitter. Delap has been poor and he has been given the opportunity tonight. Delap looks very lazy, his performances have to improve.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea continue to impress since Rosenior’s appointment.
Many were doubtful when the 41-year-old replaced Enzo Maresca last month, who had left the west London giants in controversial circumstances.
Rosenior has, however, won eight of his first 11 games in charge.
Pedro Neto was the star of the show as Chelsea thumped Hull in the FA Cup
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GETTY
Speaking after Chelsea’s victory, the Englishman 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.”
Chelsea will return to action against Burnley in the Premier League next Saturday (3pm). They currently sit fifth in the standings, a point behind Michael Carrick’s Manchester United in fourth.
