Chelsea vs. Hull City: Score, Grades and Reaction from Premier League Game

Eden Hazard proved to be the difference as Chelsea returned to their winning ways in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Hull City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Belgium international headed home the opening goal for the Blues in the seventh minute, but the Tigers refused to roll over against a disappointing host team.

However, Hull saw any hopes of a surprise result ended on the hour mark when Tom Huddlestone was dismissed for a poor challenge on Filipe Luis.

Hazard took full advantage and set up Diego Costa for his first goal in four matches in the 68th minute as Chelsea sealed the points. 

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho made three change to his team, with Petr Cech, Luis and Nemanja Matic coming in for Thibaut Courtois, Cesar Azpilicueta and Cesc Fabregas from the side beaten at Newcastle last weekend.

Hull manager Steve Bruce also made a trio of changes to his team, with Andrew Robertson, Nikica Jelavic and Curtis Davies replacing Liam Rosenior, Abel Hernandez and Stephen Quinn.

Oscar was involved as Chelsea took a seventh-minute lead at Stamford Bridge. The Brazil international crossed from the left, and an unmarked Hazard headed home past Allan McGregor.

Hull faced an early hurdle when Michael Dawson was withdrawn from the action due to an injury in the 10th minute, with Alex Bruce replacing him.

Huddlestone became the first player in referee Chris Foy's notebook for an illegal challenge on Oscar in the 16th minute.

Hull clearly had an eye out for Costa, with both James Chester and Alex Bruce cutting out potential assists for the striker in the opening stages.

Chelsea looked comfortable in the early going, but John Obi Mikel was dispossessed in the 22nd minute, allowing Sone Aluko to chase down on goal. The Hull forward should have done better with his effort, however, as it flew wide.

Moments later, David Meyler joined Huddlestone in the book for a handball inside the Chelsea area.

The Blues continued their chase for a second goal after Branislav Ivanovic produced a great run before feeding Willian. The Brazilian sent over a great ball, which Gary Cahill headed just over the crossbar.

Willian then received a yellow card from Foy for simulation after a 31st-minute challenge from Davies.

Chelsea were finding it hard to get out of their own half at times and were grateful to see a Jelavic header fly wide of Cech's goal from a Meyler cross.

The Blues did break free from defensive duties in the 37th minute, but Alex Bruce was quick to snuff out the threat of Costa.

Moments later, Cahill was cautioned for a foul on Aluko, but the England international was, arguably, fortunate not to be given a red card.

The half-time whistle arrived to some relief for Chelsea, who failed to hit the heights in the opening period against a struggling Hull team for whom Jake Livermore had been an energetic presence.

Cahill looked for a penalty in the opening stages of the second period, but any decision against Hull would have been harsh.

But Hull boss Bruce was unimpressed, and Simon Peach for The Independent quoted him as saying:

"

I've just been asked if Cahill should have gone and the simple answer is yes, especially given the referee has already booked two people for simulation or diving.

Listen, if it is Oscar, Hazard or Willian, they are running at that pace that the smallest connection can bring them over. There is no question about that.

This is England's centre-half, by the way. For me, it could have been a red card in his first challenge on (Sone) Aluko. That was reckless and dangerous.

"

The Blues returned after the break with the same lethargy that had dogged their opening 45 minutes, and Cech was grateful to see a Jelavic shot fly wide.

Costa was cautioned for simulation moments after Alex Bruce had entered the book for a foul on Willian.

It seemed a red card was inevitable, and Huddlestone duly provided it on the hour mark when the former Tottenham player earned a dismissal for an awful challenge on Filipe Luis.

"

Yehh I'd say you deserve that red, Tom. #CFC #HCAFC https://t.co/JcuYQQDWea

— amadí (@amadoit) December 13, 2014"

It was a major blow for Hull, who had matched the Premier League leaders throughout the opening hour of the match.

Steve Bruce sent Robbie Brady on for Aluko as he attempted to counteract the effects of the dismissal for the visitors, but the momentum was now with the Blues.

And in the 68th minute, a second goal arrived. Hazard played a neat interchange of passes with Ivanovic before feeding the ball to Costa inside the area. The striker turned and placed a low shot beyond McGregor to give the home side a two-goal cushion.

For Hull, it was a matter of containment now, and Steve Bruce took off Jelavic for Gaston Ramirez to flood the midfield and prevent further supply to Costa.

Mourinho sensed further goals were now available and sent on Didier Drogba for Oscar in the 78th minute. Over the next few minutes, he replaced Willian with Andre Schurrle and Ramires came on for Mikel.

Schurrle almost added a third for Chelsea in the 87th minute after exchanging passes with Drogba, but the Germany international was wayward with his effort.

Still, Chelsea held on comfortably to the three points, leaving Hull ruing the dismissal of Huddlestone. 

Selected Player Rankings

Eden Hazard: A+

Best of a disappointing Chelsea performance in the first period, and he deserved opening goal of the game. He also produced a fine assist for Costa in the second period. The catalyst for the Blues' win.

Jake Livermore: A-

A lively presence for Hull in the opening period, but the dismissal of Huddlestone in the second period saw his influence wane in favour of defensive duties.

Diego Costa: A-

Starved of service in the first 45 minutes as the Hull defence cut out the supply to the striker, but he took full advantage when gifted an opportunity by Hazard.

What's Ahead

Mourinho is looking to take another step toward his first silverware since returning to Chelsea when he takes his team to Derby County on Tuesday in the Capital One Cup quarter-final.

Chelsea's win will have come at the right time for confidence, with Derby looking to prove their Premier League credentials after losing the top spot in the Championship after their defeat at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Hull are next in action on Saturday when they entertain Swansea City at the KC Stadium in the Premier League.

Post-Match Reaction