While Carlo Ancelotti continues to reiterate that his Chelsea side need to improve, privately, he'll be very content with his first two competitive matches. Both in last week's Community Shield contest and in today's season opener, Chelsea were not at their best, but they were good enough to leave both occasions with a win. Hull proved to be a much trickier opponent today than Chelsea would have anticipated, but Ancelotti's side was able to overcome the general rust and lack of sharpness which all teams experience at the beginning of the season, and leave Stamford Bridge with 3 points.
- Man of the Match: Didier Drogba.
Today wasn't Drogba's best game for Chelsea, but he showed his class when it mattered. He saw more of the ball than his strike partner Anelka, and he was as dynamic as ever in troubling the Hull defence, but Drogba's performance looked like a first day of the season performance, lacking the razor-like match sharpness that we all know he possesses. After Hull's goal came against the run of play, Drogba's terrific free-kick found the corner of Boaz Myhill's goal, and ensured that Chelsea would go in at half-time level. Chelsea's re-energised second half performance was dominant and committed, yet much like Drogba himself, lacked that clinical edge in finding the winning goal. The Ivorian's ingenius match-winning goal in the 92nd minute had a sense of inevitability about it; a lay-off from substitute Deco found Drogba who defied the acute angle by chipping the ball over Myhill and into the far corner. His questionable temperament has been widely discussed, but in an age when the likes of Ronaldo, Messi, Ribery and Kaka are gaining the plaudits from unorthodox, free-roaming wide positions, Didier Drogba remains among the worlds best when it comes to leading the line, unsettling defences and providing that ruthless edge when his side are in need of a goal.
- Diamonds are Forever.
Ancelotti seems determined to make his famed diamond formation fit this Chelsea side, and the players seem to be doing a good job of adapting. However while Mikel, Malouda and Lampard fit into the system relatively seamlessly, Michael Essien showed today, much like in the Community Shield last weekend, that he must adapt to the system more than any of the four midfielders. Sitting on the right side of the diamond requires discipline and awareness, and Essien must be sure to not be tempted to drift inside when his combative instincts kick in. While Hull never looked like seriously challenging the Essien/Bosingwa partnership down the left flank, Nani's impressive first half performance last week showed that it is an area to be exploited if Essien doesn't remain committed to his right-sided duties.
- What a Hunt.
With his brash and often reckless style, Stephen Hunt has something of the Robbie Savage about him. Not that Chelsea had forgotten, but if they needed any reminder of how much they resent Hunt for that challenge on Petr Cech back in October 2006, just 40 seconds into todays match, Hunt flew in with a high boot on Frank Lampard, and was lucky to escape an early card from the referee. Hunt's a talented winger who has the potential to cause problems down the left wing this season, but he must check his aggression to not only save his reputation from further damage, but before he causes any more serious injuries.
- Every cloud...
From Hull City's point of view, they will take positives from this performance. Phil Brown's smirk when the assistant referee signified that there would be 6 additional minutes at the end of play showed that he knew the chances of Chelsea finding a winning goal were high. Following their catastrophic collapse after Christmas last season, many have put Hull among the favourites to be relegated this season. Phil Brown's struggles in the transfer market mean that his squad still lacks the necessary depth, and Hull are likely to face a dog fight for survival this season, but today the manager will be pleased with the organisation and resillience that his side displayed today. Bernard Mendy looked a danger in the air, knocking on a number of balls for lone striker Caleb Folan, while new signing Stephen Hunt was a nuisance on the left wing.
- The Turner Prize.
There were a lot of eyes on Hull defender Michael Turner today; he was the club's Player of the Year for 08-09 and has been linked with a number of clubs over the summer. The defender showed no signs of Second Year Syndrome, though, and for the most part looked solid. Turner is strong in the tackle and good in the air, and will benefit Hull hugely if they can hang onto him until the end of the transfer window.
- Final Thoughts. Hull will be disappointed not to have hung on for a point, but they will take heart from what was a spirited performance. Hull knew that they would have to pack the midfield, stay organised, and hit Chelsea on the counter-attack, and that's exactly what they did, but Chelsea's superior class prevailed, and two moments of individual brilliance from Didier Drogba ultimately decided the match.
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