Chelsea came from behind to secure a point at the KC Stadium against Hull City, however it could be considered two points lost against the relegation battlers.

Steven Mouyokolo headed the opening goal for Hull, before Didier Drogba equalised with a free kick on his return to the side.

Drogba was paired with Nicolas Anelka in attack, with the 4-4-2 diamond returning to accommodate him. Ballack was holding, Deco was at the head and Malouda and Lampard played to either side. Yuri Zhirkov was the left back replacing Ashley Cole.

Lampard tested the in form Boaz Myhill with a stinging early strike that was well saved. Michael Ballack should have scored a header from a beautifully flighted Ivanovic cross after 25 minutes, but headed straight at the Hull keeper.

The home side took the lead from a set piece just on the half hour. Stephen Hunt whipped it in and Mouyokolo was criminally unmarked and able to head home with aplomb.

Chelsea were level before half time, thanks to Didier Drogba’s superb free kick. Anelka was the man brought down, slightly left of centre and about 25 yards out. Drogba beautifully curled his shot around the wall and into the bottom corner to equalise.

Myhill was sharp in saving headers from Drogba and John Terry in the second half whilst Joe Cole came on for the last 20 minutes, to little effect. Myhill made an outstanding save very late on to deny substitute Daniel Sturridge, but the cutting edge wasn’t there on the night and Hull battled hard for their point, at a ground where few will win.

Arsenal are next up in a huge match this weekend, which being at Stamford Bridge, should hopefully see normal service resumed.

Chelsea’s rescheduled match with Hull City takes place tonight, after our January 9 match fell victim to the extraordinary weather of the start of the year. Phil Brown’s side are involved in a mighty relegation scrap and sit second from bottom, Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea are five points clear at the top of the league.

Didier Drogba returns to the squad tonight, having returned to England after international duty. He has 14 league goals this season and at the time of his departure was leading the golden boot race.

Wayne Rooney scored seven times in Drogba’s absence and leads the way now, with 20 league goals. Jermain Defoe has 15 whilst Darren Bent has 14, neither of whom has been away for a month during the season.

Stephen Hunt is the key man for Hull City. His infamy with Chelsea fans only increased when he scored at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season, one of his six league goals this season. There was significant interest from fellow relegation battlers Wolves throughout the transfer window, however he remains at the KC Stadium until the season’s end at least.

Hunt and Drogba were the scorers in the 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge way back in August. Drogba’s first was a brilliant free kick the second a delicate chip over Hull keeper Boaz Myhill from the byline very late on. Our last match at the KC Stadium was in October 2008 under Luiz Felipe Scolari, where Chelsea won 3-0.

Ladbrokes are offering 7/1 on a Hull home win and 7/2 on the draw. Chelsea are yet again unbackable, paying 2/7 for the win.

Chelsea resume Premier League duties away at Hull City this weekend, Chelsea coming off the back of a 5-0 win over Watford in the FA Cup, and Hull City a 4-1 thrashing away at Wigan Athletic. Incidentally, on loan Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair scored the final goal for Wigan.

Chelsea have Drogba, Essien, Mikel and Kalou away at the African Cup of Nations. Nicolas Anelka may well be fit, however Daniel Sturridge will be looking to impress again having scored twice against Watford last weekend. Regulars including Petr Cech, Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Ballack should also return.

Hull City are missing Seyi Olofinjana and Daniel Cousin thanks to the ACN and are attempting to bolster their squad in the transfer window this month, starting with Manchester City’s Felipe Caiceido, whom Hull wish to take on loan. Chelsea have been linked with Italian forward Vicenzo Iaquinta, though no move has been made.

Hull City are winless in their last seven matches in all competitions, their last victory coming on November 25, which was a 3-2 to win at home to Everton. On the flipside, Chelsea are undefeated in their last seven matches, their last defeat coming on December 5 away at Manchester City.

Our last meeting at the KC Stadium was in October 2008, where Chelsea won 3-0 couresty of goals from Frank Lampard, Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda. In the opening match of this season, Chelsea played Hull at Stamford Bridge, Didier Droba’s sublime chip from the byline giving Chelsea victory.

Ladbrokes odds of 8/1 for a Hull victory seem generous after all that, whilst the draw is paying 7/2. A Chelsea win is the most likely result, reflected in the 4/11 on offer.