toptop
Chelsea
ended a three-game winless streak the Premier League with an assured 2-0 victory
at Hull City on Saturday.
Two goals in seven second-half minutes from Willian (61) and Diego Costa (67)
put the game beyond the hosts as Antonio Conte's men ended a miserable September
on a high note.
The result condemns Hull to a fourth defeat in their last five top-flight games,
while the Tigers remain without a win against Chelsea in nine Premier League
meetings.
After drawing against Swansea and losing to Liverpool and Arsenal, a much-needed
win at the KCOM Stadium moves the Blues up to sixth in the table on 13 points.
Hull lie down in 15th on seven points.
Mike Phelan admitted his intention of freshening things up after four games
without a win, and handed Dieumerci Mbokani, Markus Henriksen and David Meyler
starts ahead of kick-off.
A similar message came from the Chelsea camp as Conte demanded a response from
Saturday's heavy loss at Arsenal, but it was the hosts who made the brighter
start.
Having shipped three goals at the Emirates Stadium, Thibaut Courtois had to be
alert on three minutes to tip Robert Snodgrass' deflected free-kick from under
his crossbar.
Hull looked to expose David Luiz's defensive frailties early on but Mbokani's
heavy touch prevented the Tigers from capitalising on the Brazilian's poor
positioning on seven minutes.
It took Chelsea around 20 minutes to settle into the game, but, once up to pace,
their attack began to cause the hosts problems.
Victor Moses, keen to impress after demanding a spot in Conte's starting XI, was
unfortunate not to win a penalty on 25 minutes when Adama Diomande's trip went
unpunished by referee Antony Taylor.
An even first half ended with a flurry of chances, but neither Costa nor Ryan
Mason could convert for either side as they went in at the break level.
Chelsea wrestled the initiative immediately in the second half, committing
greater numbers forward more frequently and creating chances.
First, having rounded the on-rushing David Marshall, Costa saw Jake Livermore
deflect his goal-bound shot onto post on 58 minutes, before N'Golo Kante blazed
the rebound over.
The pressure soon told though as Costa found Willian in space on the left three
minutes later, and the Brazilian cut inside to fire high past Marshall, who was
rooted to his spot.
Chelsea continued to ask questions of the Hull defence and one quickly became
two as Costa ruthlessly replicated Willian's finish after Nemanja Matic's shot
was deflected into his path.
From that point on it was a case of how many Chelsea could get as they pilled
forward in the knowledge Hull couldn't hurt them on the counter.
But, to their credit, Hull, marshalled by captain Curtis Davies, stood firm as
only a late Pedro chance came close to extending the visitors' lead.
Player ratings
Hull: Marshall (6), Meyler (6), Davies (7), Livermore (6),
Robertson (5), Snodgrass (5), Henriksen (6), Clucas (5), Mason (5), Diomande
(5), Mbokani (5).
Subs used: Huddlestone (n/a), Hernandez (4), Maloney (4).
Chelsea: Courtois (7), Azpilicueta (7), Cahill (7), Luiz (6),
Alonso (7), Kante (7), Matic (6), Moses (8), Willian (8), Hazard (6), Costa (8).
Subs used: Oscar (5), Pedro (5), Chalobah (n/a).
Man of the Match: Victor Moses.
Teams
Hull City Marshall; Meyler, Livermore, Davies (c), Robertson;
Clucas (Huddlestone 81) Snodgrass, Henriksen (Hernandez 71), Mason, Diomande
(Maloney 63), Mbokani
Subs Not Used Jakupovic, Maguire, Keane
Booked Livermore
Goals
Chelsea Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill (c), Luiz, Alonso, Moses
(Pedro 85), Kante, Matic, Willian (Chalobah 89), Hazard (Oscar 81), Costa
Subs Not Used Begovic, Ivanovic, Fabregas, Batshuayi
Booked Moses, Matic
Goals Willian 61, Costa 67
Attendance 21,257
Referee Anthony Taylor