Hull City 0–2 Chelsea
Chelsea went top of the Premier League thanks to two moments of brilliance in a largely forgettable early kick off at The KC.
A sublime goal from Eden Hazard and a late solo effort from Fernando Torres saw Blues in the number one spot for at least the next 24 hours – until Manchester City's match at St James' Park.
The match opened in the lumbering tiresome way that often seems to be a hallmark of lunchtime games.
The first 20 minutes were remarkable mainly for the lack of anything remarkable to say about them. Then Hull started to get into their stride.
Seizing on poor passing, and hesitant possession by Chelsea, the Tigers had a series of decent chances that probably should have given more.
Jake Livermore's long shot was touched wide by Petr Cech, before John Terry gave the ball away close to his own corner leaving Yannick Sagbo to shoot across the face of goal.
The half hour came and went, and Chelsea started to muscle their way into the game.
McGregor fluffed a Willian free kick – which Gary Cahill just failed to get his head to.
Then a chance created by Eden Hazard: who cut the ball back to Oscar on the penalty spot. The Brazilian gave it a slight flick, before striking goalward – only a fine save from McGregor could keep it out.
Just before the break David Luiz was flattened by Livermore 30 yards out on the right. He elected to take the free kick himself – which was acrobatically pushed over the bar by McGregor.
The match settled back into its original torpor after the break.
Another Luiz free kick was a rare early highlight – McGregor parrying it away.
Chelsea were going to need something special to break through what at times looked like a 10-man Hull midfield. And it came.
A little run from Luiz shortly before the hour, a side-footed pass, a dinked back-heel from Ashley Cole: and then to man-of-the-moment Hazard, with plenty still to do.
The Belgian ran along the edge of the box, turned and shot past the keeper. Fantastic stuff.
The game again settled back into tedium until Blues doubled their lead three minutes from time: Willian setting up Torres for a solo run.
The forward out-foxed the backing-off Alex Bruce, before shooting between McGregor and the post.
Chelsea now have 16 points from 18, since the defeat to Stoke.
