Diego Costa and Willian brilliance earns Chelsea comfortable win at Hull

Chelsea returned to winning ways in the Premier League, brushing aside Hull City 2-0 at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday. Excellent second-half goals from Willian and Diego Costa were enough to seal a comfortable victory for the London club, and Blues boss Antonio Conte will be delighted that his new-look 3-4-3 formation worked out positively, bringing with it a much needed clean sheet as well as three very welcome points.

Positives
Conte dropped Branislav Ivanovic to the bench, opting to play Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill and David Luiz across the back with Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso deployed as wing-backs. Against Hull the new template looked reasonably robust with Moses and Alonso giving Chelsea added impetus going forward, which in turn energised Willian and Costa in particular, who looked every inch a player at the top of his game.
Negatives
Conte's tactical gamble paid dividends against Hull, but the question mark still remains about Chelsea's defensive capabilities against serious opponents who are capable of exposing the hesitant and careless traits that were still in evidence at the KCOM but went unpunished.
Manager rating out of 10
8 -- Going into the game, Conte was under a certain amount of pressure to make changes that would ease Chelsea's defensive problems that had culminated in two straight league defeats. The Italian adopted the three-man defence favoured during his time as Italy and Juventus manager, and the game plan worked out well.
Player ratings (1-10, 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Thibaut Courtois, 7 -- A poor run of form and further comments talking up La Liga meant Courtois' performance was always going to be under the microscope against Hull, but the Belgium international answered his critics with two fine first-half saves that helped tip the balance of play in Chelsea's favour.
DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 7 -- Took time to adapt to Conte's new system and looked hesitant in the first half. Grew in composure in the second period and looked untroubled by the end of the game.
DF David Luiz, 7 -- Had Courtois to thank for making a smart early save from a Robert Snodgrass free kick the Brazilian conceded via a poorly judged challenge on Dieumerci Mbokani. The incident rattled Luiz into realising that more due care and attention was required and common sense prevailed thereafter.
DF Gary Cahill, 7 -- After the recent spate of defensive calamities, serious questions had been asked about Cahill's capabilities. Adapted to Conte's new system well and was able to cope with Hull's limited forward play without drama.
WB Victor Moses, 8 -- A surprise selection at right-wing-back, Conte handed Moses his first Premier League start for Chelsea since April 2013. The Nigeria international revelled in the opportunity and was the Blues' most creative player for the first hour of the game, posing a constant threat on the right flank.

Diego Costa scored his sixth goal in seven Premier League appearances this season as Chelsea earned a 2-0 win at Hull City.

WB Marcos Alonso, 7 -- Competent in defence and a threat going forward, Alonso created plenty of chances for his teammates, delivering a constant supply of dangerous crosses from the left side.
MF Nemanja Matic, 7 -- Unflustered and solid in the tackle, Matic recycled the ball well and might have scored when following up a buccaneering run with a blocked shot that Costa duly belted into the net.
MF N'Golo Kante, 7 -- Had Willian and Costa failed to wrap up the points for Chelsea, more would have been made of the glaring miss Kante was guilty of. Always looked a cut above lackluster opponents and bossed midfield accordingly.
FW Willian, 8 -- A welcome return to form for the Brazil international, who capped an excellent and industrious performance with a samba-style goal, curling a wicked shot beyond Hull keeper David Marshall to break the deadlock.
FW Eden Hazard, 6 -- Overshadowed perhaps by Willian and Moses, Hazard had a quieter game than might have been expected against workmanlike opponents, though only a decent save from Marshall prevented him from getting on the score sheet.
FW Diego Costa, 9 -- Led Chelsea's line with aplomb and was a constant threat to Hull's backline. Give-and-go play with Willian in particular was as much a joy to watch as Costa's newfound focus on playing the game and not getting involved in tempestuous spats, underlining once more the Brazilian-born Spain international's credentials as one the best strikers in world football.
Substitutes:
FW Oscar, NR -- Replaced Hazard in the 81st minute. Offered a fresh pair of legs but little in the way of additional creativity.
FW Pedro, NR -- Replaced Moses in the 85th minute and promptly squandered an excellent chance to add a third goal for Chelsea when played in by Alonso.
MF Nathaniel Chalobah, NR -- Replaced Willian in the 89th minute but had no time at all to show his capabilities.