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As it happenedended

Chelsea vs Hull as it happened: Diego Costa back in the goals as Antonio Conte's men go eight clear

Re-live updates from the Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge

Joe Miles
Sunday 22 January 2017 07:29 EST
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Eden Hazard jinks around Curtis Davies to spin on the attack at Stamford Bridge
Eden Hazard jinks around Curtis Davies to spin on the attack at Stamford Bridge (Getty)

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Chelsea, the Premier League's leaders and title favourites, will look to extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points with victory over a resurgent Hull City. Marco Silva has restored faith in Humberside, but they will need much more than that to take something against Antonio Conte's relentless juggernaut.

Sunday's Premier League fixtures

Southampton 3 Leicester City 0

Arsenal 2 Burnley 1

Chelsea vs Hull City - 4.30pm

Follow the live action here...

It’s a big game for…

Nathan Ake: The 21-year-old could be in line to make his first start under Antonio Conte following his return to the club. He impressed during his loan spell on the south coast at Bournemouth, so the home side will be hoping he can replicate this fine form at the Bridge.

Best stat…

Chelsea are unbeaten against Hull in the Premier League, with seven wins and one two draws.

Remember when…

This super strike from Frank Lampard put Chelsea ahead against Hull in 2011. The sublime technique is a true example of the Stamford Bridge great's striking prowess.

Player to watch…

Abel Hernandez: The Uruguayan looks in tremendous form under the management of Marco Silva. He’s getting goals, creating chances and he carries a presence on the pitch that seems to lift the whole Hull side.

Past three-meetings…

Hull City 0 Chelsea 2 (Willian, Costa)
Premier League, October 2016

Hull City 2 (Elmohamady, Hernandez) Chelsea 3 (Hazard, Costa, Remy)
Premier League, March 2015

Chelsea 2 (Oscar, Lampard) Hull 0
Premier League, December 2014

Form guide…

Chelsea: WWWLWW

Hull City: LDLWLW

Vital information…

Kick-off time: 4.30pm

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1, highlights on BBC One at 10.30pm

73 MINS

Tempers are beginning to flare out there, with Matic taking Hernandez to ground. 

The free kick fails to beat the first man and Chelsea charge out with a counter attack. The visitors are wasting their set piece opportunities.

Joe Miles22 January 2017 18:09

75 MINS

Substitution: Hernandez is replaced by Diomande

Joe Miles22 January 2017 18:10

78 MINS

Chelsea have shown very little menace going forward this half, with Hull looking the more dangerous of the two sides. A goal for the visitors would not be against the run of play right now.

Robinson delivered a ball deep into the penalty area and Alonso takes no risks and kicks it out for a corner. 

Joe Miles22 January 2017 18:14

80 MINS

GOAL

CHELSEA 2 - 0 HULL CITY

Cahill doubles the home side's tally and makes Hull pay for the loose marking inside of the danger zone. Fabregas delivers a free kick into the box and the centre-back makes light work of the finish and comfortably heads the ball past Jakupovic.

Meyler originally gave away the foul by hacking down Willian - it was a pointless foul to give away in a dangerous area.

Joe Miles22 January 2017 18:18

83 MINS

Hull are now chasing a two goal deficit, but Chelsea do look as if they are taking it for granted as they continue to test the opponents defence. 

Fabregas slips the ball through to Costa, who fires the strike at Jakupovic in a one on one position. 

Joe Miles22 January 2017 18:19

86 MINS

Substitution: Costa is replaced by Batshuayi

Joe Miles22 January 2017 18:22

89 MINS

Meyler delivers a delicate ball over the top to Niasse, who hits the ball first time at Cech. The Chelsea keeper deals with the danger and parries the ball to safety.

Joe Miles22 January 2017 18:26

90 MINS

There will be four minutes of additional time. 

Joe Miles22 January 2017 18:27

FULL TIME

CHELSEA 2 - 0 HULL CITY

It's all over at the Bridge, with Chelsea progressing at the top of the table with a deserved three points. Costa scored the opener on the brink of half-time, followed by a Cahill header to cap off the win. 

Hull City deserve praise for their relentless work rate throughout, with glimpses of excellence shown all across the field. That's the eighth successive home win for Conte's men, but for Hull it's the ninth away defeat in a row in the league. 

Chelsea have done their job - they're now 8 points clear with 16 games to go. 

It's been another tremendous Super Sunday. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have.

Thank you.

Joe Miles22 January 2017 18:33

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