Chelsea vs Hull: The One Where Results Went Chelsea's Way

Costa tries to bring back the chicken dance

I will fully hold my hands up - my cynical side reared its ugly head on the weekend. You know the part of you that says if it seems too good to be true, it probably is? Saturday’s results all seemed to fall suspiciously in Chelsea’s favour and I was having none of it. Secret agent Paul Clement getting the job done early at Anfield. Little Juan Mata sacrificing himself and his budding relationship with Jose Mourinho for two points dropped at Stoke. Manchester City giving Claudio Bravo a two goal head start.

Burnley were seconds away from claiming their second away point of the season. But it wasn’t to be. Arsenal’s late win may just have been the black mark on opposition results falling oddly in Chelsea’s favour that we needed. Or at least I needed. Until that moment I thought Chelsea would waste their opportunity to widen the gap at the top. So once again, cheers Arsenal.

Hull vs Chelsea: The One Where 4 Became 3 (+ 2)

Diego Costa: Jazz Hands

Looking back on Chelsea’s win over Hull this weekend - does anyone remember the first half of the match? Anyone? While there’s every chance it took me those first 45 minutes to get to grips with Victor Moses being handed a start while Cesc Fàbregas rots away on the bench. And as my mind swirled in some sort of existential crisis for our little Spaniard - deja vu anyone? - I just lost track of anything that may have happened.

That being said, I’m fairly confident that I’m not the only one who lost 45 minutes of my life on Saturday that I’ll never get back. Thankfully, football entrenches itself in the clichéd life - game of two halves and that. But that did mean a little more Moses time. And before the fan club gets in touch - yes he’s busy. Yes, he seems keen. But to what end? He has gone on actual runs with the ball - and then just doesn’t have the ball anymore. And without an opposition player coming within 3 feet of him. Quick wits trump quick steps.

Hull vs Chelsea: The One That Took an Unexpected Turn

McGregor realising he's the third wheel

After Chelsea's unceremonious departure from Big Cup competition, they were left with just the league to focus all of their love and attention on. All future opponents would be quaking at the prospect at being steamrolled, right? Right. Chelsea being Chelsea were never going to make things easy on themselves or on the delicate constitutions of some of their supporters.

Last week’s league match followed 120 minutes of physical European competition and was against an opponent that were more than up to the task. Southampton have been a difficult side for just about everyone to face this season. Apologies for the forthcoming cliché here … but it was genuinely a good point. This week, Chelsea had 8 days to prepare to face the  relegation fodder that is Steve Bruce's Hull City Thunder Cats.

Hull vs Chelsea: Tigers Tamed

"You've Changed ... "

After seeing Chelsea play Hull on the opening day of the season, Hull looked sure to be heading back to the Championship sooner than later. Cut to 5 months later and they've joined the mid-table likes of Aston Villa and Manchester United with an impressively solid look about that at home. Saturday's lunchtime kick off was not going to be like the fun and games of the opening day.

Chelsea v Hull City (Tigers): Welcome Back, Welcome Back, Welcome Back

Blowing Kisses. Proper Football.

The eagerly anticipated Mourinho 2.0 era has kicked off. Days before kick-off, supporters were wondering who would be given the gift of sharing the adulation that would be ringing out through the stands. Were they worried someone would miss out who deserved a start? Thinking had Lukaku done enough in pre-season to impress Jose? Or were they just sorting out their fantasy teams because Chelsea play twice this week?*