Liam Delap hits out at early celebration during ‘crazy’ sequence in Chelsea’s FA Cup victory at Hull - ‘Silly from me’

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Liam Delap almost opened the scoring for Chelsea in their FA Cup fourth-round victory over Hull City on Friday night at the MKM Stadium. However, a bizarre series of events meant that the English forward failed to convert the chance after a "crazy" sequence of events that caused Delap to admit he thought he had scored but failed to make sure that the ball was over the line.

Did it go over line? Delap convinced he's scored and then fluffs lines on rebound

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Liam Delap said he "almost ran off" to celebrate a ghost goal against Hull City but admitted he should have finished off the move.

The two sides were facing off at the MKM Stadium on Friday night in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and Liam Rosenior’s men were ultimately comfortable 4-0 winners.

Pedro Neto grabbed a hat-trick and William Estevao notched a goal for himself in the victory.

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But Delap had a moment to forget early on when he charged down Hull City goalkeeper Dillon Phillips with the scoreline at 0-0, and it appeared to many that he had broken the deadlock.

The City stopper looked to clear the ball, but it ricocheted off the former Manchester City striker and looped towards goal.

Delap seemed set to celebrate as he initially peeled off, but the ball spun off the goal-line and Phillips was able to recover to deny the Blues their opener.

'I almost ran off!' - Delap reacts to crazy missed chance

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Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Delap said that he was pleased with the victory.

He said: "We came here with only one task and that was to win. We showed we could battle and play good football, so we’re all happy."

Asked about Neto’s three goals, he praised the forward for adapting to a position higher up the pitch than he might be used to, and lauded his effectiveness.

He continued: "He's an incredible player, he's playing in a position he's not even used to. He just showed his quality. He's an incredible player and I'm happy for him."

Asked about almost scoring, Palmer conceded that he was ready to celebrate but acknowledged his error in not following up when there was still some doubt.

He said: "I swear on my life, I almost ran off. I thought it went in. Obviously I was waiting for the ref to blow his whistle. I should have put it in a second time, but it was crazy. Silly from me but I thought it went in."

Speaking at half-time, Joe Hart praised Phillips for his recovery and said that the nature of modern football meant that goalkeepers would sometimes be given a scare.

He said: "Everyone is going to talk about the Delap miss, but every young manager told to play out from the back is going to get caught out. Phillips reacts brilliantly."

'Everything right but hit the target'

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Brazilian youngster Estevao also suffered his own embarrassing miss, with Karen Carney noting: "Estevao does everything right but hit the target."

Estevao puts FA Cup tie to bed after 'terrific' Delap assist

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Fortunately for the Brazilian, he later managed to get on the scoresheet on 59 minutes, bringing him to seven goals in 32 appearances in his debut season in English football so far.

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