Chelsea outclass Hull on Jose’s return

Chelsea 2 Hull City 0

Frank Lampard scored with a majestic free-kick as Chelsea eased to victory on Jose Mourinho’s homecoming at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard had an early penalty saved before Oscar’s cleverly worked strike opened the scoring.

And Chelsea’s record goalscorer made amends for his spot-kick by thumping home number two from 30 yards to double the lead.

Despite a much-improved second-half display, Premier League newcomers Hull never looked like spoiling Blues manager Mourinho’s emotional return to the club he left in 2007.

The Portuguese was greeted with a deafening reception before and during the game and the Chelsea hordes left west London happy with the result, performance and particularly the self-tagged Happy One’s reintroduction – despite a flat second-half display.

At times Chelsea were utterly dominant and, for nearly the entire first half, the match resembled a training exercise as visiting defenders backed off and surrendered possession to wave after wave of attack.

Mourinho mixed the past with the present as Ashley Cole and Lampard both started alongside John Terry, who was assured and impressive – albeit against outclassed opposition.

One of the new faces, Kevin De Bruyne, looked sharp and composed in midfield alongside man of the match Oscar.

But with Juan Mata, Michael Essien, Andre Schurrle, Marco van Ginkel and Romelu Lukaku among the substitutes, it seemed likely Chelsea could have picked almost any combination and been too strong for their opponents.

Hull, seeking to become the first team to beat a Mourinho side at home in the league, barely got out of their half in the first 35 minutes and could easily have been 5-0 down.

Chelsea’s attacking midfield trio of Oscar, Eden Hazard and De Bruyne were bright and inventive and simply too good for the visitors.

Ramires and Lampard provided the most solid of platforms and even though the England midfielder was playing more of an anchor role, he could have added another four goals to his Blues tally by the break.

Lampard should have opened the scoring inside six minutes when his blasted spot-kick was saved by the overworked Allan McGregor after the keeper had clattered into Fernando Torres.

Oscar then shot wide but made it 1-0 when Hazard showed great patience on the right and found De Bruyne, whose clever pass allowed the Brazilian to poke the ball in.

Lampard then had a sweet first-time strike brilliantly saved after more delightful build-up play, but he did find the net when his vicious, dipping strike flew into the top of the net.

De Bruyne also twice fired shots over the bar and Cole and Gary Cahill both had shots deflected wide.

However, Hull could easily have got back into the match after the interval, but failed to make the most of several half-chances as Chelsea eased up in the sunshine.

Robert Koren had a decent effort saved by Petr Cech and there were a couple of goalmouth scrambles.

At the other end, Lampard almost played in Ramires and Branislav Ivanovic could easily have won a penalty as he raced into the area and was bundled over.

And debutant Schurrle combined with fellow substitute Lukaku and nearly dinked in a third goal.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Cole, Cahill, Terry; Lampard, Ramires; Oscar (Van Ginkel 85), De Bruyne (Schurrle 67), Hazard; Torres (Lukaku 75).
Subs not used: Schwarzer, Essien, Mata, Ba.

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