Latest: Chelsea 2 Hull 0 – Blues close in on another win

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Diego Costa’s eighth goal in seven home Premier League appearances kept Chelsea on course for victory against 10-man Hull.

Costa coolly found the bottom corner after a lovely move soon after Tom Huddlestone was sent off for a dangerous over-the-ball challenge on Filipe Luis in an increasingly feisty game.

Chelsea led at the break thanks to Eden Hazard’s fine header from Oscar’s inviting seventh-minute cross following some great work by John Mikel Obi.

Mikel, who replaced the suspended Cesc Fabregas in midfield, won possession and then found Oscar on the left wing and the Brazilian’s centre was expertly guided in.

But having gone ahead, Jose Mourinho’s league leaders failed to create many clear chances with their main threat coming from the ever-willing Branislav Ivanovic and the trickery and class of Hazard.

Hull recovered from a shaky start and threatened on occasions, with Sone Aluko blasting their best opportunity over the bar from distance.

Costa was almost gifted a one-on-one chance after a defensive lapse, while Gary Cahill was cautioned for a clumsy challenge that stopped Aluko 30 yards from goal.

But the Spaniard’s calm first-time finish, after Huddlestone was red-carded, settled the nerves after the break.

 

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