Chelsea withstood a spirited Hull City fightback to secure a 3-2 win in this afternoon's Premier League clash at the KC Stadium.
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The visitors took the lead within the first two minutes when Diego Costa set up Eden Hazard 35 yards from goal, with the Belgian travelling forward before rifling the ball across Allan McGregor and inside the far post.
Just eight minutes later, the Blues were two goals to the good, with Costa collecting Cesc Fabregas's ball before marauding forward unopposed and curling into the net.
Far from giving up, Hull fought back and halved the deficit in the 27th minute when Andrew Robertson whipped a ball into the Chelsea box for Ahmed Elmohamady to scramble home from close range.
Steve Bruce's charges did not have to work particularly hard to get themselves level. Just a minute later, Thibaut Courtois tried to control a Branislav Ivanovic ball onto his left foot, but passed it straight to Abel Hernandez, who slid home into the empty net.
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Chelsea were then under the cosh for the remainder of the half as David Meyler and Gaston Ramirez dragged a number of chances wide of goal, but Hull could not capitalise on their momentum to take the lead by the break.
Jose Mourinho's charges had their first chance on goal since scoring their second not long after the restart, when Fabregas's effort flew just wide of the post.
Despite the visitors being a rejuvenated side in the second half, they had Courtois to thank for a triple save just after the hour.
First Elmohamady forced a save from the Belgian, before Jake Livermore saw his effort from the edge of the box parried by the keeper, and finally Ramirez's effort from close range was blocked by a reaction save.
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Chelsea made their second-half pressure count when they eked themselves back in front 77 minutes into the game, as substitute Loic Remy prodded a shot through McGregor's legs and into the net.
The hosts pushed forward in a desperate attempt to get something from the game, but were denied at the death when Hernandez picked up a ball flicked through to him before charging on goal, but Courtois rushed off his line to smother the ball.
Hull remain 15th in the Premier League table following the result, while Chelsea continue to march on at the summit with a six-point lead over second-placed Manchester City and a game in hand.
Giuseppe Labellarte
