We Ain't Got No History - Matchday 21: Hull vs. ChelseaChampions of Europe!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52884/21_SBN_002_We_Aint_Got_No_History_Favicon_32x32..png2014-01-13T10:44:31+00:00http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/rss/stream/50591572014-01-13T10:44:31+00:002014-01-13T10:44:31+00:00Hull City and the pressing game
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<figcaption>Laurence Griffiths</figcaption>
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<p>The first half of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea's</a> 2-0 win at the KC Stadium was -- and this is putting it nicely -- ugly. I don't have numbers split up by halves, but it was obvious that something was off with our passing game before the break. It was frustrating, especially considering the stakes. The Blues needed a win to go (temporarily) top of the table, and it didn't look as though one was forthcoming.</p>
<p>At halftime, however, the manager was calm. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3617268/title/happy-hazard">Here's</a> what <span>Eden Hazard</span> said about <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho's</a> state of mind at the interval: "The manager said at half-time - no stress, continue to try to be the best." Ultimately, he was proven right. Hull dropped off immediately after the break, and when Hazard scored the opener it came as no surprise. Why?</p>
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<p>From the outside, Steve Bruce's game plan seemed to revolve around one major element. Although we saw Hull drop into a defensive shell whenever Chelsea did manage to get the ball to stick in the opposition half, that wasn't what they were focusing on. Rather, the standout feature of the first half, when the Tigers were actually imposing themselves on the match, was an aggressive pressing game that forced the Blues onto the back foot.</p>
<p>In theory, every team has a set of triggers that tells their players when to actively challenge for the ball. One of those triggers is how far up the field the opposition is -- everyone will attack the ball within 30 yards of their own goal, for example. Defensive sides will start looking to win the ball as the ball comes into their own final third, and teams with more attacking mentalities will push their pressing line further and further upfield.</p>
<p>Hull's pressing line might as well have been in Petr Cech's six yard box. The Tigers spent the entirety of the first half swarming Chelsea whenever they had the ball. Ramires and <span>David Luiz</span> were man-marked, <span>Cesar Azpilicueta</span> was put under so much pressure he forgot how to pass and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110210/john-terry">John Terry</a> was, at one point, closed down while standing on his own goalline. Only Gary Cahill, who's not a brilliant distributor, was left unscathed.</p>
<p>The plan worked well. Hull denied us the time we needed to start playing actual football, kept us on the back foot, and could easily have taken the lead had Yannick Sagbo made the most of Terry's error midway through the first half. Chelsea simply couldn't play an expansive game under that much pressure.</p>
<p>But Mourinho was calm at the interval for a reason. Even before Mark Clattenburg whistled the first half to a close, there were signs that the hosts were tiring, loosening their grip on the match. The downside of a heavy press is that it costs a lot of energy, and Hull couldn't use the Barcelona solution of using long spells on the ball in order to recover. They could barely keep it up for a full half, let alone a full match.</p>
<p>Essentially, Bruce made a gamble that his side could come out of the gates hard, score a goal while Chelsea were off-balance, and then play deep, defensive football while sitting on a lead. All of his bullets were used up in the first half, and Mourinho knew that. All that was left in the second was to kill the game.</p>
<p>Sometimes you play poorly because you're playing poorly. Sometimes the opposition forces you into it. Although the first half was frustrating, surviving it at 0-0 set the foundations for what was ultimately a comfortable victory.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/13/5303332/hull-city-vs-chelsea-tacticsGraham MacAree2014-01-12T22:01:35+00:002014-01-12T22:01:35+00:00Hull City vs. Chelsea: Player Ratings, Three Stars
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<figcaption>Hugs! | Laurence Griffiths</figcaption>
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<b>1. EDEN HAZARD</b> - AML, FR</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: black;"><i>8.8</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played</span><span><b>90</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches</span><span><b>72</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Shots</span><span><b>1*/2</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes</span><span><b>34/45</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Take-ons</span><span><b>4/8</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Fouls suffered</span><span><b>3</b></span>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a> is not alone in his high praise for the 23-year-old, as for the third time in the last five matches, <span>Eden Hazard</span> wins your man of the match vote as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">On a day when two-thirds of our in-form attacking trio failed to live up to expectations, Hazard put the team on his back, dragged <span>Ashley Cole</span> up out of his hidey-hole, and went to work on what became his third-highest-rated performance of the season. At one point or another, Hull tried everything in the book to slow <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> down: pressing, parking the bus, fouling, you name it. In the end, Hazard prevailed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">The winning goal was sublime in execution: a cut inside, a fake to make an utter fool out of a defender, and a low arrowed shot that left the goalkeeper with no chance. Hazard now has three goals and an assist in his last four league matches. Safe to say that Mourinho's project to create a Hobbit Cristiano out of the Belgian is going swimmingly.</div>
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<b>2. PETR CECH </b>- GK</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: black;"><i>209</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played</span><span><b>90</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches</span><span><b>27</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Saves</span><span><b>2</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Distribution</span><span><b>15/24</b></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">For the 209th time in the last ten seasons, <span>Petr Cech</span> started a Chelsea match that ended with zero goals conceded. That's 209 clean sheets, in perfect symmetry with Frank Lampard's 209 club goals. Perhaps due to the less individualistic nature of a clean sheet, we have not celebrated Cech's achievement as much as we had Lampard's goals. But make no mistake, it's an impressive feat.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">I'd guess this clean sheet went down just like the vast majority of the previous 208: without much drama. Cech didn't have to make any saves like the one he pulled off last year against <span>Javier Hernandez</span> nor did he have to save a penalty kick like he did in the FA Cup final against Portsmouth. Hull managed just two shots on target, both from well outside the area. Unsurprisingly, just as we've come to know and love over the previous decade, Cech had no difficulties with either.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">His actual rating was 8.2.</div>
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<b>3. FERNANDO TORRES </b>- FC</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: black;"><i>7.4</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played</span><span><b>90</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches</span><span><b>41</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Shots</span><span><b>1*/3</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes</span><span><b>15/29</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Aerial duels</span><span><b>8/14</b></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">"What's this? Torres scores again?"</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">My stepfather sent me that text on Saturday.</div>
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<p><i>OTHERS:</i><br>A.Cole (<b>7.0</b>), Terry (<b>6.8</b>), Cahill (<b>7.3</b>), Azpilicueta (<b>7.0</b>), <span>David Luiz</span> (<b>6.9</b>), Ramires (<b>6.6</b>), Willian (<b>7.1</b>), Oscar (<b>6.6</b>)</p>
<p><i>SUBS:</i><br>Mikel (<b>6.4</b>), Schürrle (<b>6.0</b>), Essien (<b>5.9</b>)</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/12/5301688/hull-chelsea-player-ratings-man-of-the-matchDavid Pasztor2014-01-11T15:13:31+00:002014-01-11T15:13:31+00:00Cech sets record, Blues go top
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<figcaption>Laurence Griffiths</figcaption>
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<p>Nobody went into this match expecting an easy time of things. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/hull-city">Hull City</a> have been remarkably difficult to beat at the KC Stadium so far this year -- prior to this game, only <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/crystal-palace">Crystal Palace</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> had claimed three points there, and the latter fluked their way back from a 2-0 deficit to do so -- and although <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> have been on a good run our away games have a nasty habit of being uncomfortable.</p>
<p>But ninety minutes later, the Tigers were dispatched via <span>Eden Hazard</span> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres">Fernando Torres</a> and the Blues had ascended to the top of the Premier League. No, it wasn't a walkover, but the 2-0 victory was nowhere near the slog we were anticipating. It was a comfortable win against a midtable side that never really had much of a chance.</p>
<p>Steve Bruce went into the game hoping to frustrate Chelsea for as long as possible, pitting three centre backs against Torres and man-marking <span>David Luiz</span> and Ramires in midfield. He also employed a ferociously high pressing line, and that led to some very sloppy play in the first half. The Blues rarely had time to find their bearings, misplacing the ball all too frequently as a result. And so the play was mostly bogged down in midfield.</p>
<p>The press also led to Hull's only serious chance of the game. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110210/john-terry">John Terry</a> was charged down by <span>Jake Livermore</span> inside our area, and promptly passed the ball straight to Yannick Sagbo. That error could and should have resulted in the opening goal, but Sagbo fluffed his lines, clanging an awful shot well wide as a bewildered <span>Petr Cech</span> looked on.</p>
<p>As the half progressed, the hosts tired and Chelsea began to find their feet. David Luiz forced an amusing stop from Allan MacGregor, the goalkeeper struggling to deal with the movement on his trademark free kick, but the goalkeeper's big moment of the half was extremely impressive. After Ashley Cole had lifted a deft chip over the defence for Hazard to play with, Oscar ended up with the ball in the middle of the box. He had time and space to pick out a shot, but was denied a goal thanks to a brilliant reaction stop from MacGregor.</p>
<p>The Blues had to wait for the second half to break the deadlock. By that point, Hull's pressing game had fallen off entirely. The Tigers were essentially ceding the midfield to Chelsea, and that enabled the pivot players, especially Ramires, to get into the game. And, crucially, it put Hazard in a position to hang around the business end of the pitch.</p>
<p>Hazard has really come into his own this year, and the team has started to rely on him to open up the opposition, much like they did with <span>Juan Mata</span> last year. And, like Mata, Hazard rarely disappoints. This time he received a neat flick from Cole, blew past a pair of sluggish Hull defenders, faked a shot and then, from the top of the box, fired a sniper's effort straight into the far corner.</p>
<p>The hosts had been playing for a draw; when faced with a deficit they didn't appear to have any idea how to get back into the match. Chelsea, on the other hand, were in fantastic spirits -- at one point they were playing so freely that we got to see Terry and <span>Gary Cahill</span> play a reverse-passing interchange just outside the Hull area.</p>
<p>But with the lead remaining at 1-0, the game was still nominally in doubt. The Blues couldn't relax, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a> agreed, swapping Oscar off for <span>John Obi Mikel</span> and switching to 4-3-3 to shore up the midfield. The formation change had the happy side effect of bringing Torres to life. He'd been peripheral all game, but came out of his shell to kill off the match three minutes from time.</p>
<p>It was vintage Torres. Having been fed on the break by Willian, the forward found himself one on one against Alex Bruce, twisting him this way and that before creating a yard of space and immediately snapping a shot past an off-balance MacGregor.</p>
<p>What could have been a nervous three minutes of injury time, then, was reduced to irrelevance. The managers shook hands on the sideline well before Mark Clattenburg brought an end to proceedings. The points were secured, first place was secured, and Petr Cech became the club's all-time leader in clean sheets.</p>
<p>In other words, it was a pretty good day.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/11/5298116/chelsea-vs-hull-city-final-score-resultGraham MacAree2014-01-11T14:35:10+00:002014-01-11T14:35:10+00:00Hull 0 - Chelsea 2: Initial Reaction
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<figcaption>Laurence Griffiths</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues moved to the top of the table, and Petr Cech broke a club record. It was a good day.</p> <p>Boring, boring Chelsea is becoming a thing again, and fortunately, so is winning. Chelsea did a nice job of lulling the stadium to sleep for the first half of this game, before <span>Eden Hazard</span> caught the Tigers napping and put Chelsea in the lead.</p>
<p>The game opened up a bit as Hull began to press for an equalizer, and Mourinho responded by taking Oscar off for <span>John Obi Mikel</span>. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres" class="sbn-auto-link">Fernando Torres</a> was clearly not on the same 'kill the game off' page though, and put the game to bed with a late strike into the corner.</p>
<p>Thoughts:</p>
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<li>First and foremost, congratulations to <span>Petr Cech</span> for becoming <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea's</a> all-time leader in clean sheets today. That's going to be a tough mark for <span>Thibaut Courtois</span> to break.</li>
<li>The first half looked like it had been longer than normal since the Blues played a competitive match. Chelsea started the game off with far too much passing the ball to feet and not enough passing the ball into space in front of the player. It's going to be tough to break down tight defenses like that.</li>
<li>We might be the worst team in the league at retaining possession after a throw. Hull seemed perfectly prepared for every one of our throws today.</li>
<li>Eden Hazard is swell.</li>
<li>Mark Clattenburg really shouldn't have been refereeing anywhere this weekend, after the incident at <a href="https://stmarysmusings.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Southampton</a> a week ago. If he was going to be forced to work though, he certainly shouldn't have been working a game involving another player or club that has made claims of inappropriate remarks against him. Common sense...</li>
<li>I'm glad that Chelsea have been looking more dangerous as the game progresses this year, as opposed to the trend of starting out very well and then fading that we've gotten used to over the past two seasons. It would be nice if we'd look at least somewhat dangerous early on though, and simply progress to unstoppable from there.</li>
<li>That finish from Fernando Torres was excellent. It was probably the only moment of usefulness he had all day, but you really can't argue with the result. Frankly, I'd take mostly toothless and a goal over somewhat useful and terrible finishing from my center forward anytime.</li>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/11/5297968/hull-chelsea-final-score-initial-reaction-community-rating-formStephen Schmidt2014-01-11T13:34:03+00:002014-01-11T13:34:03+00:00Hull vs. Chelsea: Second half discussion
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<figcaption>Laurence Griffiths</figcaption>
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<p>The second half still needs to be played as Chelsea look to leave Hull with a victory, discuss the action here</p> <p>The first half is in the books, and now we have a much needed break to go in search of caffeine. Hull have been mostly content to play risk-free football, while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea's</a> passing has been utterly laughable. The result was a first half that lacked many real moments of excitement, instead offering a seemingly endless string of turnovers without much threat of a counterattack.</p>
<p>Luckily, Chelsea haven't looked overly likely to concede anything today, and a single moment of quality could easily see them finish this game on top. The last few minutes of the half looked a little better than the first 40 or so, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho's</a> side has generally looked better in the second half this season. Here's hoping that continues today...</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/11/5297978/hull-vs-chelsea-second-half-discussionStephen Schmidt2014-01-11T11:59:52+00:002014-01-11T11:59:52+00:00Hull vs. Chelsea: Confirmed lineups and discussion
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<figcaption>Julian Finney</figcaption>
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<p>Chelsea look to move atop the Premier League table with a win against Hull</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> can jump both <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> today, with a win pushing them to the top spot in the table for at least the next 24 hours. It's also a big day for a Chelsea legend, as <span>Petr Cech</span> has his first opportunity to break the all-time Chelsea mark by recording his 209th clean sheet. <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fteams%2Fchelsea%2F10548481%2FPetr-Cech-It-will-be-an-honour-when-I-beat-Peter-Bonettis-Chelsea-clean-sheet-record.html&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fweaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com%2F2014%2F1%2F11%2F5297944%2Fhull-vs-chelsea-confirmed-lineups-and-discussion" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">The Czech keeper is currently tied with Peter Bonetti</a>, but will certainly be hoping to move into the top spot by himself today.</p>
<p>With these things in mind, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a> has decided to line up with the following against Hull today:</p>
<p><b>Chelsea XI:</b> Petr Cech, <span>Cesar Azpilicueta</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110210/john-terry">John Terry</a>, <span>Gary Cahill</span>, <span>Ashley Cole</span>, <span>David Luiz</span>, Ramires, Oscar, Willian, <span>Eden Hazard</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres">Fernando Torres</a></p>
<p><b>Chelsea Bench: </b><span>Mark Schwarzer</span>, <span>John Obi Mikel</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110300/michael-essien">Michael Essien</a>, <span>Juan Mata</span>, <span>Andre Schurrle</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110144/samuel-eto-o">Samuel Eto'o</a>, <span>Ryan Bertrand</span></p>
<p>Steve Bruce has named the following for Hull:</p>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/hull-city">Hull City</a> XI:</b> Allan McGregor, James Chester, Alex Bruce, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/sbn_pte_player/show/112193?league=football+league+championship&slug=curtis-davies">Curtis Davies</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/112398/ahmed-elmohamady">Ahmed Elmohamady</a>, <span>Tom Huddlestone</span>, Maynor Figueroa, <span>Jake Livermore</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/112420/david-meyler">David Meyler</a>, George Boyd, Yannick Sagbo</p>
<p><b>Hull Tigers Bench: </b><span>Steve Harper</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/149773/danny-graham">Danny Graham</a>, Stephen Quinn, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110776/robert-koren">Robert Koren</a>, Matty Fryatt, Liam Rosenior, <span>Abdoulaye Faye</span></p>
<p>As always, keep things civil and don't link or direct to illegal streams of the game. Let's hope Petr gets that record, and that the Blues take maximum points.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/11/5297944/hull-vs-chelsea-confirmed-lineups-and-discussionStephen Schmidt2014-01-10T15:59:18+00:002014-01-10T15:59:18+00:00Hull vs. Chelsea: Preview and more
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<figcaption>Shaun Botterill</figcaption>
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<p>Hull have been one of the surprises of the first half, and sit 10th in the current table</p> <p><a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> will head to Hull for their 21st match of the season, and a victory would temporarily move the Blues into the top spot in the table. Both <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal</a> and <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester City</a> have Saturday off, meaning both will be well aware of what Chelsea did before taking the pitch themselves.</p>
<p>If history is any indicator, the Blues will be heavy favorites to take three points away from this matchup. The two sides have met 40 times in the past, with Chelsea winning 26, drawing 10, and losing only four of those contests. At Hull, that record is somewhat closer, with Chelsea having won 12, drawn five, and lost four.</p>
<p>Only five times in the past have the two sides met in top-division play, twice each in Hull's first Premier League go-arounds, and once earlier this season. Both of Hull's first two Premier League campaigns ended with Chelsea recording a win in the first meeting and a draw in the second, with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho" class="sbn-auto-link">Jose Mourinho's</a> men comfortably taking maximum points from the first such meeting of this season. Let's hope that trend ends tomorrow.</p>
<p>On paper, this should be a fairly comfortable game for the Blues. Hull sit right in the middle of the pack in terms of goals scored and goals conceded, roughly mirroring their table position. They generally lose the possession battle by a fairly wide margin, don't take a lot of shots, and a larger than normal percentage of their attempts come from outside the area. Corners and final third set-pieces are worrying though, as <span>Tom Huddlestone</span> is very good at delivering dangerous balls to attack.</p>
<p>Hull tend to be very wasteful with both their shooting and passing. They like to push the ball to the wings and fire crosses into the box, though they aren't particularly good at doing anything with those deliveries. They also tend to put very few of their limited shots on target, likely due to taking so few shots from dangerous areas. All told, this should be an excellent opportunity for <span>Petr Cech</span> to keep his record breaking 209th clean sheet if we avoid making silly fouls and defend set pieces well.</p>
<p>Defensively speaking, Hull have looked better than they have in attack. They don't allow a ton of shots per game despite having very little of the ball, aren't overly susceptible on the counter despite being turnover prone, and are generally very aggressive in attempting to win back the ball when teams enter the final third. This does lead to a lot of fouls given away in fairly dangerous areas, and Hull have been pretty poor in defending the resulting set pieces.</p>
<p><b>Opponent: </b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/hull-city" class="sbn-auto-link">Hull City</a> Tigers (or whatever they're calling themselves this week)</p>
<p><b>Venue/Location: </b>KC Stadium, Hull, England</p>
<p><b>Date/Time:</b> Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 12:45 GMT (7:45 am EST, 4:45 am PST, 18:15 IST)</p>
<p><b>Forecast:</b> Cold but above freezing, sunny skies, and a 20% chance of rain. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.weather.com/weather/tomorrow/Hull+UKXX0476:1:UK">Not the worst...</a></p>
<p><b>Chelsea FC Squad News:</b> Marco van Ginkel, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard" class="sbn-auto-link">Frank Lampard</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110687/branislav-ivanovic" class="sbn-auto-link">Branislav Ivanovic</a> are all out with various injuries. Kevin De Bruyne may or may not still be on the Chelsea books at game time tomorrow, but he'll almost certainly not be used even if he is. Other than that, it appears to be all hands on deck.</p>
<p><b>Hull Squad News: </b>Hull have a few injuries to deal with, as all of Paul McShane, Sone Aluko, and Robbie Brady will miss through injury. Steve Bruce's side have also been dealing with a major flu bug that has limited quite a few players in training this week, so there may be a surprise omission or two tomorrow.</p>
<p><b>Television/Streaming:</b> In the US, NBCSN and <a target="_blank" href="http://stream.nbcsports.com/liveextra/">NBC Sports Live Extra</a> have you covered. In the UK, BT Sport 1 has the game. Indian fans can watch on Star Sports 4 or Star Sports 2 HD, and everyone else can check their local listings <a target="_blank" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/821677/hull-city-vs-chelsea/">here</a>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/chelsea-tv">Chelsea TV</a> will have live audio along with pre and post-match coverage.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/10/5295142/hull-chelsea-preview-squad-news-television-streaming-forecast-injuries-history-venueStephen Schmidt2014-01-10T14:55:03+00:002014-01-10T14:55:03+00:00Hull vs. Chelsea: You choose the squad
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<figcaption>Richard Sellers</figcaption>
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<p>It's almost Saturday, and that means Premier League football. Who would you choose to face Hull?</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a> has has a week to prepare for our next opponent, a trip to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/hull-city">Hull City</a> (or Hull Tigers, I just don't know anymore). Hull have been a pleasant surprise this season, and sit in 10th place after 20 games. The club is just six points clear of the relegation zone though, so they still need to manage some results before they can feel truly safe.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> have a fit enough squad that Steve Bruce will probably feel lucky to come away with anything. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110687/branislav-ivanovic">Branislav Ivanovic</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard">Frank Lampard</a>, and Marco van Ginkel are all out, while Kevin De Bruyne seems to be on his way to Germany. While De Bruyne hasn't officially been ruled out, I can't imagine we'd consider selecting a player and risking his move falling apart due to injury.</p>
<p>We'd like to know what you would do in Mourinho's shoes, so please fill out the form below to let us know. The results can be seen by clicking <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1TbRW3l0MdvWj_AaqR2l-w_va156ZC5pigdfF5HFa2oY/viewanalytics" target="_blank">this link</a>, and feel free to discuss your selections in the comment section below.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/10/5295074/hull-vs-chelsea-you-choose-the-squadStephen Schmidt