By Gary Watton
December 15 2014
Eden Hazard recorded only his second headed goal in his illustrious career, courtesy of a fine assist from Oscar to help Chelsea into an early lead against struggling Hull. However, like West Bromwich before them, the visitors did not capitulate, and no avalanche of goals followed. In fact it took a deserved but foolish sending-off for Tom Huddlestone to provide the hosts with the advantage to go and finally achieve a second goal.
In between the two goals, we perhaps had a stark reminder that Chelsea remain a little clueless at breaking down stubborn defensive lines. The creativity of Cesc Fabregas, the king of assists, was clearly sorely missed. However, in the end, it was a case of job done and another home triumph box was ticked. There will be more difficult assignments lurking over the horizon, and one can only hope that the bigger the challenge, the better the Chelsea performance will be.
However, there was one large cloud that hung over the league leaders' victory and that was the diving controversy that besmirched the display. Diving is horrible, and yes Chelsea players have been as guilty as anyone of this dreadful tactic. We should consider ourselves too good a team to have to resort to such pathetic theatrics. Gary Cahill really ought to have been sent off. I think that the only thing that peculiarly saved him was that even referee Chris Foy is becoming bored at awarding red cards to Chelsea players that he mysteriously chose to overlook Cahill for a merited second yellow card. Steve Bruce is absolutely right to be furious with Foy's crap refereeing, but unfortunately CF has made a rod for his own back by sending off far too many Chelsea players thus far, that this time he was resolved to keep eleven Chelsea players on the field no matter what. Foy should just be kept away from Chelsea engagements because, if nothing else, he is a bad luck charm.
Anyhow, I dearly hope that Mourinho fields a strong team for the awkward assignment on Tuesday night at Derby. The Blues can win the Capital One Cup if they take the competition and their opponents seriously. I would love it if we drew Newcastle in the semi finals or final, as we must avenge our unlucky defeat on Tyneside as soon as possible.
CHELSEA 2 Hull City 0; half time: 1-0. Saturday 13th December 2014.
CHELSEA goal scorers: Hazard, Costa
CHELSEA team: Cech, Filipe Luis, Cahill, Terry, Ivanovic, Mikel, Oscar, Willian, Matic, Hazard, Costa. Used substitutes: Drogba, Schurrle, Ramires.
CHELSEA LEADING SCORERS:
Costa - 12 goals
Hazard - 8 goals
Drogba - 6 goals
Oscar - 4 goals
Fabregas, Matic, Remy and Schurrle- 3 goals
Ivanovic, Ramires, and Willian - 2 goals