Chelsea 2-1 Hull City : Match Report

Chelsea v Hull City
Venue : Stamford Bridge
Lineups :

Chelsea -
Cech,Boswinga,Carvalho,Terry,Cole,Obi Mikel,Essien,Lampard,Malouda,Drogba,Anelka

Hull City - Myhill,Mendy,Turner,Gardner,Dawson,Marney,Olofinjana,Mouyokolo,Boateng,Hunt,Folan


The day millions of fans all over the globe were eagerly waiting for finally arrived. The first match of the season between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge.

Things started to heat up as early as the first minute with a high foot challenge by Steven Hunt on Frank Lampard left the England midfielder unimpressed.

Chelsea could have gone up as early as the 2nd minute after a cross from the right flank by Michael Essien fell to Ivorian Didier Drogba who had all the space and time in the world to put it in the back of the net but his shot blazed high and wide.

Hull City get a chance of their own with a cross from Hunt which is a little too high for him. Chelsea's defence went to sleep!

First corner of the season goes to Hull and its a good one. A half cleared ball falls to Boateng whose shot from outside the box also becomes the first shot on target of the season. Denied by an outstretched leg of Peter Cech.

27th minute becomes the time for the first goal of the season and surprisingly it comes from the Tigers. Former Reading man, Steven Hunt taps into an open net with his left foot after a Boateng shot ricocheteds off Mikel's knee.

Chelsea 0 - 1 Hull City (Hunt 27')

Their lead however lasts for only 10minutes as Chelsea win a free kick which is expertly taken by Drogba. Commentators begin to compare his free kick with how Ronaldo used to bring the ball up and down leaving the keeper helpless.

Chelsea 1 - 1 Hull City (Drogba 37', Hunt 27')

As the half went on Drogba grew in confidence and got the most out of Hull's defence and stung Myhill's gloves on a couple of occasions.

Mendy becomes the first player to get yellow card of the season as his clumsy tackle on Malouda leaves the Frenchman clutching his ankle and into the advertising boards.

Chelsea pile on the pressure on Hull but can't find a gap with Hull's defence holding strong.

Chelsea 1 - 1 Hull City (HT)

Chelsea enter the second half brimming with confidence and better passing. Ballack comes on to replace John Obi Michel. Hull however seem to have switched off a little as they try to get out of their own half.

56th minute – A huge melee in the Hull half sees many misses by Chelsea players and finally a Lampard head on towards Drogba finds him in space but is denied fabulously by Myhill.

76th minute – Boswinga fights hard to keep possession of the ball and forces a great save from the Hull keeper.

79th minute – Kalou comes on for Chelsea and could have scored with his first touch in the game but his header is a tad high and its still one goal apiece at Stamford Bridge.

89th minute – Great block by Dawson denies Drogba and Chelsea the winner.

92nd minute – Pass by Deco into the path of Drogba whose run and accurate chip shot over Myhill gets Chelsea the goal and ends the agony for Ancelotti and fans. With this he also becomes Chelsea’s first booking of the season for taking off his shirt.

94th minute – Kalou’s curling shot is only inches wide to put this game to rest.

96th minute – Shot from Hull to equalise and salvage a point from Stamford Bridge proves useless as Cech seemed to have it covered.

Chelsea 2 – 1 Hull City (Hunt 27’, Drogba 37’, Drogba 92’) (FT)

Chelsea survive a scare on the first day of the season and continue their record of 8 wins in 8 seasons on the first day. Drogba could surpass Ronaldo's record of 26 last season if he continues this form and does not get temperamental as usual. Chelsea survive a scare on the first day of the season. There would be plenty for Ancelotti to analyse and address.

Hull City did their best to get a point from Chelsea and would have deserved it as well with their impressive defending but couldn't do the same with their attacking options.