Chelsea made just one change from the side that started the FA Community Shield against Manchester United last week. Right-back Jose Bosingwa replaced Branislav Ivanovic, who was relegated to the bench for the home match with Hull City which kicked off a new Barclays Premier League season. Goalkeeper Ross Turnbull and striker Daniel Sturridge were among the substitutes for Chelsea, along with youngster Sam Hutchinson. Hull manager Phil Brown included new signing Stephen Hunt in his starting line-up while Kamel Ghilas, another new addition, had to settle for a place on the bench.

Chelsea should have taken the lead in the second minute, but Didier Drogba fired wide of the target from six yards after Michael Essien's superb cross fell directly at the feet of the unmarked striker. Chelsea dominated the opening exchanges with Drogba again firing wide, this time from the edge of the penalty area, and John Mikel Obi also off target with another effort from similar range. But Hull gave Chelsea a warning in the ninth minute when captain George Boateng was just wide of Petr Cech's right-hand upright with a shot from 20 yards.

Four minutes later a cross from Stephen Hunt was headed over by Dean Marney. The Hull midfielder was allowed to ghost into the penalty unmarked and should have done better with his finish. But Chelsea hit back immediately and captain John Terry went close with a header from a corner by Florent Malouda.

Cech had to be alert to save another shot from Boateng on his goal-line, as the Tigers began to find some success in the attacking third. Hull had weathered the early Chelsea storm and had been far from second best. Chelsea looked impressive going forward in their diamond formation, but the same could not be said for the defensive element of the system.

Chelsea squandered two chances to take the lead in the 24th minute. The first involved a fine challenge by Anthony Gardner that stopped a Malouda effort and then Drogba headed wide from a Lampard cross.

The home team's failure to clear a free-kick in the 27th minute cost them dearly. Chelsea had been upset at the free-kick award by Alan Riley when the official had adjudged Jose Bosingwa guilty of tugging the shirt of Hunt. It got worse for the Blues when Andy Dawson sent the free-kick towards the Chelsea penalty area.

It was only half-cleared to Boateng on the edge of the area and his shot cannoned off both Ashley Cole and Mikel before falling to Hunt to apply an easy finish into an unguarded net. It marked a dream debut for Hunt who had been booed all afternoon by the Chelsea fans. The home supporters still have not forgiven the ex-Reading player for the challenge which left Cech with a fractured skull and who still wears protective head gear as a result.

We had a difficult second half. We could have scored a lot of goals today, but we were unlucky.
Chelsea's Didier Drogba

Chelsea responded immediately, but a 25-yard drive by Drogba was well held by Boaz Myhill. And the Blues were level in the 37th minute thanks to a superb free-kick by Drogba. Seyi Olofinjana was penalised by Wiley for holding off Mikel some 25 yards out and Drogba punished them severely when he sent a dipping shot over the defensive wall and into the corner.

Ballack on
Myhill then had to dive low to his left to prevent Michael Essien from giving Chelsea the lead five minutes before the interval. The home side replaced Mikel with Germany captain Michael Ballack at half-time. He moved to the right of the diamond formation with Essien moving into the holding role.

Ancelotti's side should have gone in front within seconds of the re-start. Drogba set-up partner Nicolas Anelka perfectly, but the France international failed to beat Myhill from six-yards. Lampard, enjoying his new forward role at the head of the diamond, then hit the side-netting with a rasping 20-yard drive from the edge of the penalty area.

In the 56th minute Myhill twice denied Drogba with stunning saves as the Ivory Coast international looked for his second of the game. Chelsea had now taken full control of the contest and Malouda was inches away from giving them the lead when his curling effort just fell the wrong side of the post. But the home side were guilty of trying to walk the ball into the net, a fault that blighted the short reign of Luiz Felipe Scolari last season.

Their approach play was far too intricate and Hull snuffed out their repeated advances with ease. In the 68th minute Hull replaced Hunt with new signing Ghilas to a chorus of boos from the Chelsea fans and the Blues substituted Malouda for Deco. Essien almost gave Chelsea the lead in the 74th minute, but his 20-yard volley was narrowly wide of the target.

Stoppage-time winner
Bosingwa then brought a fine diving save from Myhill as his effort looked to creep inside the near post. Substitute Salomon Kalou, on for Anelka, then headed over from Deco's cross as Chelsea chased a winner. Drogba scored the winner two minutes into added time when he somehow chipped the ball over Myhill and into the far corner from an acute angle.

"I was trying to cross," said Drogba, as he reflected on his unlikely chip over goalkeeper Boaz Myhill into the corner of the net. The Ivory Coast striker insisted nonetheless Chelsea had eventually got their just reward.

"We had a difficult second half. We could have scored a lot of goals today, but we were unlucky," he said. "It was difficult, but it's always good to win the first game.

"The belief is strong, as always. Today we showed we will try till the end of the game. We were lucky to score, but the desire is always there."