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| Hull City v Chelsea: Premier League – as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 5.59pm GMT17:59 | |
| Summary | |
| On the balance of play, it’s hard to argue that Chelsea didn’t deserve the win here. But they looked ropey in patches, particularly at the end of the first half. Apart from one calamitous mistake, Courtois was excellent, and made a startling triple save to keep his side in it at 2-2. | |
| Meanwhile, QPR have been beaten at home by Everton, 2-1 the final score, with Aaron Lennon getting the winner, his first for the Merseyside club. That’s good news for Hull – the bottom seven all lost this weekend. They played well, and were rightly applauded off the pitch by their supporters at the end, having 19 attempts on goal, compared to Chelsea’s eight. | |
| Thanks for reading, and for your emails and tweets. See you next time. Bye! | |
| Updated at 6.01pm GMT | |
| 5.52pm GMT17:52 | |
| Full-time: Hull City 2-3 Chelsea | |
| The Blues march on! Three precious points. | |
| 5.51pm GMT17:51 | |
| 92 min: Twice in the space of a minute that Courtois has come and claimed a high ball. He’s so good at that, and bar a couple of PSG corners this season, Chelsea do defend the aerial threat well, particularly at the end of matches. | |
| 5.49pm GMT17:49 | |
| 90 min: Four minutes added on here. | |
| 5.48pm GMT17:48 | |
| 88 min: It’s all getting a bit ugly here, with challenges flying in all over the pitch. First Matic is booked for a late slide on Aluko, then Zouma goes to ground with a firm but fair tackle on Quinn. Corner to Hull. It’s swung in low, and Chelsea’s defenders miss it. The ball falls to N’Doye, but he slices his volley skywards. It takes a nick off Zouma but the ref awards a goal kick. | |
| 5.45pm GMT17:45 | |
| 85 min: Unsurprisingly, Chelsea have gone into their shell as they try to protect their lead – Zouma patrolling the space in front of the back four with Matic. Chelsea are now testing Hull with long balls, and Remy’s pace is causing problems. | |
| @michaelbutler18 Remy has deserved more game time this season and has looked dangerous when he has played. Still over reliant on Hazard too | |
| Seconded. Although not a bad person to rely upon. | |
| 5.43pm GMT17:43 | |
| 83 min: Terry is caught by N’Doye after making a clearance. Free-kick. Both defender and attacker squared up to the linesman, who had given the foul. That’s a bit ugly, both players’ faces were maybe eight inches from that of the official. | |
| 5.40pm GMT17:40 | |
| 80 min: Mourinho was readying Cuadrado to come on before Chelsea scored, but instead he opts for Zouma, who will replace Willian. | |
| Hull meanwhile are making a triple change: Brady on for Robertson, Aluko on for Ramirez, and Quinn on for Meyler, who took a fiercely struck ball to the face, moments earlier, and still looks a little shaken. | |
| 5.39pm GMT17:39 | |
| All of Chelsea’s good play this second half has come down the right, and so it proves for their third. It’s not particularly intricate, but with Ivanovic getting forward, and Ramirez not tracking his man, Hull are simply overrun. Fabregas slips Willian in, and the Brazilian sends a square pass across the box to outfox Bruce and from eight yards out Remy pokes the ball in. It was straight at McGregor, who could have perhaps done better, but he was powerless to stop the ball hitting his torso and trickling over the line. What a substitution by Mourinho! | |
| 5.34pm GMT17:34 | 5.34pm GMT17:34 |
| GOAL! Hull City 2-3 Chelsea (Remy 77) | GOAL! Hull City 2-3 Chelsea (Remy 77) |
| Remy scores with his first touch. | Remy scores with his first touch. |
| 5.33pm GMT17:33 | 5.33pm GMT17:33 |
| 75 min: Costa, holding his hamstring, comes off for Remy. Cheers ring round the stadium. Presumably from Livermore and Bruce, too. | 75 min: Costa, holding his hamstring, comes off for Remy. Cheers ring round the stadium. Presumably from Livermore and Bruce, too. |
| 5.32pm GMT17:32 | 5.32pm GMT17:32 |
| 73 min: Oscar miscontrols an Ivanovic clearance, and fouls Elmohamady. Ramirez bends it in towards the back post but Courtois is decisive and commanding in coming to collect. Good goalkeeping to take the pressure of his defenders. | 73 min: Oscar miscontrols an Ivanovic clearance, and fouls Elmohamady. Ramirez bends it in towards the back post but Courtois is decisive and commanding in coming to collect. Good goalkeeping to take the pressure of his defenders. |
| 5.31pm GMT17:31 | 5.31pm GMT17:31 |
| 69 min: Chelsea counter-attack at pace, Willian scuttering forward and shooting, but it flies harmlessly wide. | 69 min: Chelsea counter-attack at pace, Willian scuttering forward and shooting, but it flies harmlessly wide. |
| 5.27pm GMT17:27 | 5.27pm GMT17:27 |
| 66 min: This is a good spell of pressure from Hull who win a corner, but Cahill heads magnificently away. Great defending, that’s much better from the England man. | 66 min: This is a good spell of pressure from Hull who win a corner, but Cahill heads magnificently away. Great defending, that’s much better from the England man. |
| “Why does someone always yell “AWAY” when a corner of free kick comes in?” asks Richard Armitage. “I can understand it a an Under-8 game but do you think professional players really need reminding?” | “Why does someone always yell “AWAY” when a corner of free kick comes in?” asks Richard Armitage. “I can understand it a an Under-8 game but do you think professional players really need reminding?” |
| Updated at 5.29pm GMT | Updated at 5.29pm GMT |
| 5.26pm GMT17:26 | 5.26pm GMT17:26 |
| 64 min: Triple save from Courtois! With Ramires off, Ramirez finds a pocket of space just inside Chelsea’s half, and switches the play, lofting the ball over Luis to Elmohamady. The Egyptian has enough time to take a touch, but hammers his shot straight at Courtois, who advanced off his line like a giant octopus, seemingly with eight limbs straining to save the ball. The ball hits Courtois flush in the chest and rebounds, with Livermore trying his luck, but again, Courtois sticks out a tentacle, tipping the ball wide. Ramirez latches onto it again, and he tries, but the Belgian keeper somehow tips a bouncing shot over the bar. Three shots in the space of six seconds. He’s certainly helped to make up for his earlier mistake. | 64 min: Triple save from Courtois! With Ramires off, Ramirez finds a pocket of space just inside Chelsea’s half, and switches the play, lofting the ball over Luis to Elmohamady. The Egyptian has enough time to take a touch, but hammers his shot straight at Courtois, who advanced off his line like a giant octopus, seemingly with eight limbs straining to save the ball. The ball hits Courtois flush in the chest and rebounds, with Livermore trying his luck, but again, Courtois sticks out a tentacle, tipping the ball wide. Ramirez latches onto it again, and he tries, but the Belgian keeper somehow tips a bouncing shot over the bar. Three shots in the space of six seconds. He’s certainly helped to make up for his earlier mistake. |
| 5.21pm GMT17:21 | 5.21pm GMT17:21 |
| 61 min: Chelsea’s first change: Oscar on for Ramires. | 61 min: Chelsea’s first change: Oscar on for Ramires. |
| 5.21pm GMT17:21 | 5.21pm GMT17:21 |
| 60 min: Luis intercepts a pass to kill a Hull counter-attack, and sends a raking 50-yard ball out to Fabregas, who is loitering unmarked on the right wing. Robertson is again out of position, and Fabregas drives to the byline and delivers a cross hard and low to the near post. Costa stretches for it, but a combination of Bruce and McGregor sliding out means the ball falls into the arms of Hull’s keeper. McGregor is a little miffed at Costa kicking out, but there doesn’t seem to be anything in it. | 60 min: Luis intercepts a pass to kill a Hull counter-attack, and sends a raking 50-yard ball out to Fabregas, who is loitering unmarked on the right wing. Robertson is again out of position, and Fabregas drives to the byline and delivers a cross hard and low to the near post. Costa stretches for it, but a combination of Bruce and McGregor sliding out means the ball falls into the arms of Hull’s keeper. McGregor is a little miffed at Costa kicking out, but there doesn’t seem to be anything in it. |
| 5.17pm GMT17:17 | 5.17pm GMT17:17 |
| 58 min: Hull simply can’t keep the ball, and the pressure on their defence is relentless. This is when you need something to stick up front, Bruce will be bemoaning the absence of Jelavic, he would be much better than Hernandez in getting his team up the pitch. | 58 min: Hull simply can’t keep the ball, and the pressure on their defence is relentless. This is when you need something to stick up front, Bruce will be bemoaning the absence of Jelavic, he would be much better than Hernandez in getting his team up the pitch. |
| 5.15pm GMT17:15 | 5.15pm GMT17:15 |
| 55 min: Livermore and Costa are at it again, colliding on the edge of Hull’s area, resulting in a dangerous free-kick. It’s out wide, so there’s no shot on, and Cahill and Terry trot up from the back. Fabregas’s centre is terrible though. The quality of set-pieces in this match have been poor in general. | 55 min: Livermore and Costa are at it again, colliding on the edge of Hull’s area, resulting in a dangerous free-kick. It’s out wide, so there’s no shot on, and Cahill and Terry trot up from the back. Fabregas’s centre is terrible though. The quality of set-pieces in this match have been poor in general. |
| 5.13pm GMT17:13 | 5.13pm GMT17:13 |
| 51 min: More good play down Chelsea’s right, Ivanovic crossing for Costa, who heads goalwards. McShane is in close attention, and manages to get a deflection on the ball, who bounces over the bar. Willian’s corner is poor, but replays show all manner of grappling between Costa and Livermore. There are shoves, shirt-holding, elbows and words exchanged, all done without any action from Michael Oliver. | 51 min: More good play down Chelsea’s right, Ivanovic crossing for Costa, who heads goalwards. McShane is in close attention, and manages to get a deflection on the ball, who bounces over the bar. Willian’s corner is poor, but replays show all manner of grappling between Costa and Livermore. There are shoves, shirt-holding, elbows and words exchanged, all done without any action from Michael Oliver. |
| 5.09pm GMT17:09 | 5.09pm GMT17:09 |
| 49 min: Chelsea look a different team to the one that finished the first half, and it’s Hazard again that is the creator. His turn of pace is frightening, especially from a standing start. Robertson, who is no slouch, can’t keep up with the Belgian on Hull’s left, and Hazard squares the ball to an oncoming Fabregas, who shoots wide. Much better from Chelsea. | 49 min: Chelsea look a different team to the one that finished the first half, and it’s Hazard again that is the creator. His turn of pace is frightening, especially from a standing start. Robertson, who is no slouch, can’t keep up with the Belgian on Hull’s left, and Hazard squares the ball to an oncoming Fabregas, who shoots wide. Much better from Chelsea. |
| 5.06pm GMT17:06 | 5.06pm GMT17:06 |
| 46 min: Could Hazard win the PFA Player of the Year Award this year? He’s got to be up there, and has probably edged ahead of Costa and Fabregas. Hazard shows his class and no little pace, receiving a quick free kick from Fabregas and turning on the burners to leave Livermore for dead. He bursts into the area, cutting inside McShane, but if finally halted by Bruce. Last-ditch stuff. | 46 min: Could Hazard win the PFA Player of the Year Award this year? He’s got to be up there, and has probably edged ahead of Costa and Fabregas. Hazard shows his class and no little pace, receiving a quick free kick from Fabregas and turning on the burners to leave Livermore for dead. He bursts into the area, cutting inside McShane, but if finally halted by Bruce. Last-ditch stuff. |
| 5.03pm GMT17:03 | 5.03pm GMT17:03 |
| Peeeep, here we go again! No changes made by either manager, which seems a tad strange, particularly from Mourinho. | Peeeep, here we go again! No changes made by either manager, which seems a tad strange, particularly from Mourinho. |
| 4.53pm GMT16:53 | 4.53pm GMT16:53 |
| Completely-unrelated-half-time entertainment: | Completely-unrelated-half-time entertainment: |
| 4.49pm GMT16:49 | 4.49pm GMT16:49 |
| Half-time: Hull City 2-2 Chelsea | Half-time: Hull City 2-2 Chelsea |
| Assem Allam claps his team off the pitch. That was breathless stuff. | Assem Allam claps his team off the pitch. That was breathless stuff. |
| “A half of two halves,” suggests Allan Castle. | “A half of two halves,” suggests Allan Castle. |
| Not half! | Not half! |
| Updated at 4.55pm GMT | Updated at 4.55pm GMT |
| 4.49pm GMT16:49 | 4.49pm GMT16:49 |
| 45 min: Two minutes added here. Mourinho has already seen enough, he’s heading down the tunnel early. | 45 min: Two minutes added here. Mourinho has already seen enough, he’s heading down the tunnel early. |
| “Neither team opting to defend always makes for a better game,” quips Mark Judd. The defending on show here has been comical. Tactically Hull have been all at sea, whilst Cahill is having a poor game. And Peter Crosby isn’t happy either. | “Neither team opting to defend always makes for a better game,” quips Mark Judd. The defending on show here has been comical. Tactically Hull have been all at sea, whilst Cahill is having a poor game. And Peter Crosby isn’t happy either. |
| “Shout out to the best signing Chelsea ever made Ivanovic - he’s having a mare. While Courtois has to shoulder most of the blame for the second goal, it was a poor pass-back from Ivanovic and then a total loss of concentration. Every single other touch seems to be a wayward pass or a clumsy foul - he’ll be hooked for Azpilicueta at half time if Mourinho is anything like the football manager I consider myself to be...” | “Shout out to the best signing Chelsea ever made Ivanovic - he’s having a mare. While Courtois has to shoulder most of the blame for the second goal, it was a poor pass-back from Ivanovic and then a total loss of concentration. Every single other touch seems to be a wayward pass or a clumsy foul - he’ll be hooked for Azpilicueta at half time if Mourinho is anything like the football manager I consider myself to be...” |
| Updated at 4.54pm GMT | Updated at 4.54pm GMT |
| 4.47pm GMT16:47 | 4.47pm GMT16:47 |
| 44 min: Hull pump a long ball forward, and N’Doye is clattered by Ivanovic on the edge of the area. It’s a very clumsy challenge, needless too. The striker took a real whack there, and is forced to go off to the sidelines for some treatment. Ramirez is over it, but his shot clips the top of Chelsea’s wall and goes behind. | 44 min: Hull pump a long ball forward, and N’Doye is clattered by Ivanovic on the edge of the area. It’s a very clumsy challenge, needless too. The striker took a real whack there, and is forced to go off to the sidelines for some treatment. Ramirez is over it, but his shot clips the top of Chelsea’s wall and goes behind. |
| 4.44pm GMT16:44 | 4.44pm GMT16:44 |
| 42 min: Chelsea can’t get a kick at the moment! Ramirez is really turning it on, and he beats Ramires to the back, flicks it round Terry, and coasts past Cahill. It looks for a moment like he might be through, but his lack of pace means that he takes the shot early, which is dragged well wide. | 42 min: Chelsea can’t get a kick at the moment! Ramirez is really turning it on, and he beats Ramires to the back, flicks it round Terry, and coasts past Cahill. It looks for a moment like he might be through, but his lack of pace means that he takes the shot early, which is dragged well wide. |
| 4.41pm GMT16:41 | 4.41pm GMT16:41 |
| 38 min: And it’s Hull who are finishing this half the stronger. Livermore and Meyler are winning their 50/50s, and Ramirez is increasingly able to find the feet of his strikers. Cahill wins the ball this time, but he’s got to be careful, as he’s already been booked. | 38 min: And it’s Hull who are finishing this half the stronger. Livermore and Meyler are winning their 50/50s, and Ramirez is increasingly able to find the feet of his strikers. Cahill wins the ball this time, but he’s got to be careful, as he’s already been booked. |
| 4.38pm GMT16:38 | 4.38pm GMT16:38 |
| 35 min: Luis passes back to Courtois. The Hull fans shout ‘Oooooooooaaaaaaaa’ to unnerve him. Courtois makes no mistake this time, booting the ball 70 yards away. Ironic cheers ring out. Banter. | 35 min: Luis passes back to Courtois. The Hull fans shout ‘Oooooooooaaaaaaaa’ to unnerve him. Courtois makes no mistake this time, booting the ball 70 yards away. Ironic cheers ring out. Banter. |
| @michaelbutler18 Chelsea look rattled - will courtois retain his usual composure after that howler? He's normally so calm... | @michaelbutler18 Chelsea look rattled - will courtois retain his usual composure after that howler? He's normally so calm... |
| Courtois doesn’t get rattled. He’ll be absolutely fine. | Courtois doesn’t get rattled. He’ll be absolutely fine. |
| Updated at 4.42pm GMT | Updated at 4.42pm GMT |
| 4.36pm GMT16:36 | 4.36pm GMT16:36 |
| 33 min: Another ball into the full-back channel, another pass for Costa to chase, this time against Bruce. The Spaniard beats Bruce to it, but he’s pinned against the corner flag, shielding the ball. Bruce responds by coming through the back of the striker, although he does win the ball cleanly. No free-kick. Costa fumes. All is right with the world. | 33 min: Another ball into the full-back channel, another pass for Costa to chase, this time against Bruce. The Spaniard beats Bruce to it, but he’s pinned against the corner flag, shielding the ball. Bruce responds by coming through the back of the striker, although he does win the ball cleanly. No free-kick. Costa fumes. All is right with the world. |
| 4.33pm GMT16:33 | 4.33pm GMT16:33 |
| Ivanovic plays a simple backpass back to his keeper and Courtois should clear first time, but he takes a touch, a horribly heavy touch, with the ball squirting out to Hernandez, who is able to tap the ball into an empty net! He started the match so well, but that’s awful from the Belgian keeper! Completely at fault! | Ivanovic plays a simple backpass back to his keeper and Courtois should clear first time, but he takes a touch, a horribly heavy touch, with the ball squirting out to Hernandez, who is able to tap the ball into an empty net! He started the match so well, but that’s awful from the Belgian keeper! Completely at fault! |
| 4.30pm GMT16:30 | 4.30pm GMT16:30 |
| GOAL! Hull City 2-2 Chelsea (Hernandez 28) | GOAL! Hull City 2-2 Chelsea (Hernandez 28) |
| We’re all square! Shocker from Courtois! | We’re all square! Shocker from Courtois! |
| Updated at 4.44pm GMT | Updated at 4.44pm GMT |
| 4.29pm GMT16:29 | 4.29pm GMT16:29 |
| They might have been culpable for conceding, but Robertson and Elmohamady were rampant here in attack. Robertson breaks past Ivanovic and delivers a low cross between Cahill and Courtois – the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ I think they call it – and Elmohamady beats Luis and the back post to tap it! 2-1! | They might have been culpable for conceding, but Robertson and Elmohamady were rampant here in attack. Robertson breaks past Ivanovic and delivers a low cross between Cahill and Courtois – the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ I think they call it – and Elmohamady beats Luis and the back post to tap it! 2-1! |
| 4.27pm GMT16:27 | 4.27pm GMT16:27 |
| GOAL! Hull City 1-2 Chelsea (Elmohamady 26) | GOAL! Hull City 1-2 Chelsea (Elmohamady 26) |
| The two full-backs combine! | The two full-backs combine! |
| Updated at 4.41pm GMT | Updated at 4.41pm GMT |
| 4.26pm GMT16:26 | 4.26pm GMT16:26 |
| 23 min: Hernandez battles admirably to win the ball high up the pitch but his square pass to Meyler is a overhit, and Chelsea are able to scramble the ball behind for a corner. They’re a massive side actually: Dawson, Bruce, McShane, Elmohamady, Livermore, Meyler, N’Doye and Hernandez are all over 6ft! The corner doesn’t get past the first defender on the post. Poor. Bruce must be fuming. | 23 min: Hernandez battles admirably to win the ball high up the pitch but his square pass to Meyler is a overhit, and Chelsea are able to scramble the ball behind for a corner. They’re a massive side actually: Dawson, Bruce, McShane, Elmohamady, Livermore, Meyler, N’Doye and Hernandez are all over 6ft! The corner doesn’t get past the first defender on the post. Poor. Bruce must be fuming. |
| 4.23pm GMT16:23 | 4.23pm GMT16:23 |
| 21 min: Time and time again, Hull are being exposed on their flanks: their three-man defence is too narrow, their wing-backs completely out of position. Felipe Luis is the latest to break into the space, delivering a telling cross, but Costa’s header is harmless. | 21 min: Time and time again, Hull are being exposed on their flanks: their three-man defence is too narrow, their wing-backs completely out of position. Felipe Luis is the latest to break into the space, delivering a telling cross, but Costa’s header is harmless. |
| 4.22pm GMT16:22 | 4.22pm GMT16:22 |
| 19 min: Rather than their normal 4-2-3-1, Chelsea appear to be playing 4-3-3: Matic, Ramires and Fabregas behind Hazard, Costa and Willian. They are winning the battle in the middle of the pitch, so hats off to Mourinho. | 19 min: Rather than their normal 4-2-3-1, Chelsea appear to be playing 4-3-3: Matic, Ramires and Fabregas behind Hazard, Costa and Willian. They are winning the battle in the middle of the pitch, so hats off to Mourinho. |
| Meanwhile, Everton have taken a 1-0 lead at QPR. Seamus Coleman with the goal. Follow today’s live scores here. | Meanwhile, Everton have taken a 1-0 lead at QPR. Seamus Coleman with the goal. Follow today’s live scores here. |
| 4.19pm GMT16:19 | 4.19pm GMT16:19 |
| 15 min: Despite being 2-0 down, Hull do look a threat going forward, but they look desperately exposed at the back. Costa is a willing runner, and has lots of space to break into. He’s having a right old tussle with Dawson too, and goes down in a heap clutching his chest. Is he hurt? Of course not. Fires a few customary expletives at Hull’s defender and on we go. | 15 min: Despite being 2-0 down, Hull do look a threat going forward, but they look desperately exposed at the back. Costa is a willing runner, and has lots of space to break into. He’s having a right old tussle with Dawson too, and goes down in a heap clutching his chest. Is he hurt? Of course not. Fires a few customary expletives at Hull’s defender and on we go. |
| 4.17pm GMT16:17 | 4.17pm GMT16:17 |
| 13 min: Cahill is booked for bringing down N’Doye on the edge of the area. The Senegalese is a real physical menace isn’t he? N’Doye picks himself up, dusts himself down, and curls the resulting free-kick over the wall towards, the near-post corner… saved again by Courtois, tipping it round the post! The striker has another effort on goal from the corner, but it’s easily gathered again by the keeper. | 13 min: Cahill is booked for bringing down N’Doye on the edge of the area. The Senegalese is a real physical menace isn’t he? N’Doye picks himself up, dusts himself down, and curls the resulting free-kick over the wall towards, the near-post corner… saved again by Courtois, tipping it round the post! The striker has another effort on goal from the corner, but it’s easily gathered again by the keeper. |
| 4.14pm GMT16:14 | 4.14pm GMT16:14 |
| Hull push forward with the ball, but Meyler loses it carelessly to Hazard. Hull’s wing-backs are caught far too high up the pitch, and Fabregas is able to turn and ping a lovely ball into the vacant wide area for Costa to chase. He wins the foot race against Dawson, dribbling into the area from the left. There is little support, so he stands the defender up, a bends a brilliant finish inside the post. Mourinho barely flinches on the bench. | Hull push forward with the ball, but Meyler loses it carelessly to Hazard. Hull’s wing-backs are caught far too high up the pitch, and Fabregas is able to turn and ping a lovely ball into the vacant wide area for Costa to chase. He wins the foot race against Dawson, dribbling into the area from the left. There is little support, so he stands the defender up, a bends a brilliant finish inside the post. Mourinho barely flinches on the bench. |
| 4.11pm GMT16:11 | 4.11pm GMT16:11 |
| GOAL! Hull City 0-2 Chelsea (Costa 9) | GOAL! Hull City 0-2 Chelsea (Costa 9) |
| There goes our ‘narrative’ then… | There goes our ‘narrative’ then… |
| Updated at 4.25pm GMT | Updated at 4.25pm GMT |
| 4.10pm GMT16:10 | 4.10pm GMT16:10 |
| 8 min: Hull are starting to get their collective feet on the ball here. Chelsea are defending very deep, they’re obviously scared of the pace of Hernandez and N’Doye, especially having already been caught out in behind. | 8 min: Hull are starting to get their collective feet on the ball here. Chelsea are defending very deep, they’re obviously scared of the pace of Hernandez and N’Doye, especially having already been caught out in behind. |
| 4.08pm GMT16:08 | 4.08pm GMT16:08 |
| 5 min: It’s all going off here! What a save from Courtois! Hernandez latches onto a clever flick on from N’Doye and the Uruguayan is clean through. He takes a touch, gets his head up, steadies himself and shoots straight at Chelsea’s goalkeeper, who darted off his line to close the angle. The ball rebounds safely away, Chelsea so easily undone! | 5 min: It’s all going off here! What a save from Courtois! Hernandez latches onto a clever flick on from N’Doye and the Uruguayan is clean through. He takes a touch, gets his head up, steadies himself and shoots straight at Chelsea’s goalkeeper, who darted off his line to close the angle. The ball rebounds safely away, Chelsea so easily undone! |
| 4.06pm GMT16:06 | 4.06pm GMT16:06 |
| Costa comes deep to collect the ball off Matic, and lays a lovely ball off to Hazard. Hazard bursts into the pocket of space created by Costa’s movement, and unleashes a fierce left-foot shot into the far post from 20 yards! What a strike! What a start! | Costa comes deep to collect the ball off Matic, and lays a lovely ball off to Hazard. Hazard bursts into the pocket of space created by Costa’s movement, and unleashes a fierce left-foot shot into the far post from 20 yards! What a strike! What a start! |
| 4.03pm GMT16:03 | 4.03pm GMT16:03 |
| GOAL! Hull City 0-1 Chelsea (Hazard 2) | GOAL! Hull City 0-1 Chelsea (Hazard 2) |
| Things that don’t last long on a football pitch: parity at the KC, and Gerrard. Zingggg! | Things that don’t last long on a football pitch: parity at the KC, and Gerrard. Zingggg! |
| Updated at 4.23pm GMT | Updated at 4.23pm GMT |
| 4.00pm GMT16:00 | 4.00pm GMT16:00 |
| Peeeep! And we’re off. | Peeeep! And we’re off. |
| 3.59pm GMT15:59 | 3.59pm GMT15:59 |
| Is Thierry Henry a good pundit? I’m not sure. Nice garms though. | Is Thierry Henry a good pundit? I’m not sure. Nice garms though. |
| 3.57pm GMT15:57 | 3.57pm GMT15:57 |
| The teams are out. Send your predictions, thoughts, and pictures of your roast dinner to michael.butler@theguardian.com. Or you can tweet me at @michaelbutler18. | The teams are out. Send your predictions, thoughts, and pictures of your roast dinner to michael.butler@theguardian.com. Or you can tweet me at @michaelbutler18. |
| 3.52pm GMT15:52 | 3.52pm GMT15:52 |
| It looks as though Mourinho has opted for Ramires on the right of that attacking midfield trio, normally where Willian, Cuadrado or Oscar might play. Willian plays in the middle of that trio today, with Hazard on the left. Hull’s main attacking threat is their width, with their wing backs Elmohamady and Robertson constantly looking to get forward. Ramires could well be an astute selection to nullify that threat. | It looks as though Mourinho has opted for Ramires on the right of that attacking midfield trio, normally where Willian, Cuadrado or Oscar might play. Willian plays in the middle of that trio today, with Hazard on the left. Hull’s main attacking threat is their width, with their wing backs Elmohamady and Robertson constantly looking to get forward. Ramires could well be an astute selection to nullify that threat. |
| 3.48pm GMT15:48 | 3.48pm GMT15:48 |
| Hull manager Steve Bruce has been talking to the cameras. | Hull manager Steve Bruce has been talking to the cameras. |
| We’re up against one of the best teams in Europe with arguably the best manager. When you put those two things today, it can be pretty formidable. | We’re up against one of the best teams in Europe with arguably the best manager. When you put those two things today, it can be pretty formidable. |
| Hernandez has shown in glimpses what he can do. It’s taken him a bit of a while to get used to the Premier League, whereas N’Doye has hit the ground running. | Hernandez has shown in glimpses what he can do. It’s taken him a bit of a while to get used to the Premier League, whereas N’Doye has hit the ground running. |
| 3.34pm GMT15:34 | 3.34pm GMT15:34 |
| Mikel John Obi aside, Chelsea’s squad arrive in Hull with a clean bill of health. Hull meanwhile, have a few important absences: Tom Huddlestone is suspended, Nikica Jelavic has just undergone knee surgery, Mo Diame and James Chester are still recovering from their injuries, and Robbie Brady is only fit enough for the bench. | Mikel John Obi aside, Chelsea’s squad arrive in Hull with a clean bill of health. Hull meanwhile, have a few important absences: Tom Huddlestone is suspended, Nikica Jelavic has just undergone knee surgery, Mo Diame and James Chester are still recovering from their injuries, and Robbie Brady is only fit enough for the bench. |
| Hull play six of the top seven teams in their last nine games. The sooner they get those players back, the better. Results went for them yesterday, with all the teams below them losing (apart from QPR, who play Everton today), but they remain just three points above the relegation zone. Bum, squeaky, etc. | Hull play six of the top seven teams in their last nine games. The sooner they get those players back, the better. Results went for them yesterday, with all the teams below them losing (apart from QPR, who play Everton today), but they remain just three points above the relegation zone. Bum, squeaky, etc. |
| Updated at 3.44pm GMT | Updated at 3.44pm GMT |
| 3.26pm GMT15:26 | 3.26pm GMT15:26 |
| JOSÉ MOURINHO IS TAKING ONE GAME AT A TIME AND NOT EVEN THINKING ABOUT THE TITLE although he has revealed he celebrated each of the 21 trophies he has won as a manager by removing his watch and keeping it as a memento. | JOSÉ MOURINHO IS TAKING ONE GAME AT A TIME AND NOT EVEN THINKING ABOUT THE TITLE although he has revealed he celebrated each of the 21 trophies he has won as a manager by removing his watch and keeping it as a memento. |
| I take my watch from my wrist and I don’t wear it again. A big collection? I have a big collection. I keep it. They’re in a safe box. Like people keep medals or shirts, I keep my watches. Another thing is if I don’t win, the watch becomes a normal watch, so I wear, I don’t wear, I wear, I don’t wear. But when I finish a season with a trophy, that season is represented with a watch. I have 21. | I take my watch from my wrist and I don’t wear it again. A big collection? I have a big collection. I keep it. They’re in a safe box. Like people keep medals or shirts, I keep my watches. Another thing is if I don’t win, the watch becomes a normal watch, so I wear, I don’t wear, I wear, I don’t wear. But when I finish a season with a trophy, that season is represented with a watch. I have 21. |
| Read more watch-related quotes. | Read more watch-related quotes. |
| Updated at 3.27pm GMT | Updated at 3.27pm GMT |
| 3.12pm GMT15:12 | 3.12pm GMT15:12 |
| Today’s teams. | Today’s teams. |
| Hull (3-5-2): McGregor, Dawson, Bruce, McShane, Elmohamady, Livermore, Meyler, Ramirez, Robertson, N’Doye, Hernandez. Subs: Rosenior, Davies, Brady, Sagbo, Harper, Aluko, Quinn. | Hull (3-5-2): McGregor, Dawson, Bruce, McShane, Elmohamady, Livermore, Meyler, Ramirez, Robertson, N’Doye, Hernandez. Subs: Rosenior, Davies, Brady, Sagbo, Harper, Aluko, Quinn. |
| Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Luis, Fabregas, Matic, Willian, Ramires, Hazard, Costa. Subs: Cech, Zouma, Oscar, Remy, Cuadrado, Azpilicueta, Loftus-Cheek. | Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Luis, Fabregas, Matic, Willian, Ramires, Hazard, Costa. Subs: Cech, Zouma, Oscar, Remy, Cuadrado, Azpilicueta, Loftus-Cheek. |
| Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland) | Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland) |
| Updated at 3.13pm GMT | Updated at 3.13pm GMT |
| 3.01pm GMT15:01 | 3.01pm GMT15:01 |
| Preamble | Preamble |
| The last time Hull City beat Chelsea was October 1988 with most of today’s players just a sparkle in their respective fathers’ eyes. Hull ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at the now-defunct Boothferry Park in the now-defunct Division Two in front of a crowd just short if 7,000, a Keith Edwards brace and a strike from Michael Smith helping the Yorkshire club to a deserved win. | The last time Hull City beat Chelsea was October 1988 with most of today’s players just a sparkle in their respective fathers’ eyes. Hull ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at the now-defunct Boothferry Park in the now-defunct Division Two in front of a crowd just short if 7,000, a Keith Edwards brace and a strike from Michael Smith helping the Yorkshire club to a deserved win. |
| The result wasn’t representative for how the 1988/89 season panned out. Chelsea would finish the season as champions with 99 points – a full 17 points ahead of the second-placed team, Manchester City, whilst Hull finished in 21st, just avoiding relegation. Sound familiar reader? | The result wasn’t representative for how the 1988/89 season panned out. Chelsea would finish the season as champions with 99 points – a full 17 points ahead of the second-placed team, Manchester City, whilst Hull finished in 21st, just avoiding relegation. Sound familiar reader? |
| Football fans, pundits and even journalists can get a bit carried away with one performance, or one result. Manchester United are now really good, Liverpool are rubbish, and that Steven Gerrard guy is a dirty little so-and-so isn’t he? Rarely are things so simple, but geezers (and geezettes) need excitement and narrative to make life a bit more interesting between now and the end of May. | Football fans, pundits and even journalists can get a bit carried away with one performance, or one result. Manchester United are now really good, Liverpool are rubbish, and that Steven Gerrard guy is a dirty little so-and-so isn’t he? Rarely are things so simple, but geezers (and geezettes) need excitement and narrative to make life a bit more interesting between now and the end of May. |
| If Chelsea fail to win today, some people will suggest Manchester City and perhaps Arsenal are still in with a sniff of the title. So expect a 3-0 home win for Hull today, reactive hyperbole tomorrow, Hull to avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth and Chelsea to ignore it all and romp to the title by 17 points. | If Chelsea fail to win today, some people will suggest Manchester City and perhaps Arsenal are still in with a sniff of the title. So expect a 3-0 home win for Hull today, reactive hyperbole tomorrow, Hull to avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth and Chelsea to ignore it all and romp to the title by 17 points. |
| Kick off: 4pm GMT | Kick off: 4pm GMT |
| Updated at 3.15pm GMT | Updated at 3.15pm GMT |