Introduction

As the Hull City fans flooded out of Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, singing just as they had been throughout the 90 minutes that preceded, the fans of the West London side were left pondering how they had gone from Champions League Runners-up last season to being unable to beat a Hull City side without a league win in eight games.

Phil Brown’s black and amber army had good reason to sing: they had just witnessed their side coming within a whisker of beating Luis Felipe Scolari’s millionaires in their own back yard. A 0-0 draw was a little unexpected, despite Chelsea’s poor form, but Hull really could have won a match which has proved to be the Portuguese manager’s final game in charge of the Blues.

The Hull City defence had a tricky afternoon in store as they faced a Chelsea attack that boasted free-scoring Nicholas Anelka, on form Frank Lampard and highly rated January loan signing Ricardo Quaresma. However, the Tigers’ back line stood strong throughout the match and it was instead the Chelsea defenders who were busiest as Craig Fagan put in a lively performance for Hull City in the absence of injured Daniel Cousin and out of favour loanee Manucho. After John Terry missed a three yard sitter, Quaresma forced an outstanding save from City ‘keeper Matt Duke and Ballack saw a free kick rebound of the outside of the post, but Hull City had a good chance of their own when Kevin Kilbane out-jumped the Blues’ defence only to nod the ball against the upright and it duly bounced out for a goal kick.

After the half time interval, Hull City came out with a clear intention to win the game and had the best chances of the second period, the first of which was spurned by Craig Fagan. After the pacey front man was played through he elected to chip the ball over Chelsea’s stand-in goalie, Hilario, but misjudged and had his tame effort caught easily with onlooking Dean Marney in an excellent position. Shortly after though, Marney had a chance of his own when he made a well timed run into the box and was found by Geovanni, but his first-time left foot shot skipped inches wide of the far post with Hilario beaten. The last chance of the match fell to Hull’s skipper Ian Ashbee who from a late corner had an opportunity to score his first ever Premier League goal, but as the ball fell to him at the far post he had very little time to react and sliced his shot wide of the net.

As the referee sounded for full-time, the City contingent cheered their sides fifth point taken from the ‘big four’ and the Chelsea fans were left to contemplate their sides chances of winning the Premier League.

Result: Chelsea 0-0 Hull City