Chelsea's happy habit for opening day success continues but it needed a stoppage-time winner from Didier Drogba.

And what a winner it was too, scored from what is traditionally termed an impossible angle - the second of what could be Goal of the Month contenders from the Ivorian.

It was his long-distance free kick shortly before half-time that equalised Stephen Hunt's opener for Hull, who like so many visiting teams at the Bridge in recent years, and indeed themselves last season, were troublesome opponents.

Carlo Ancelotti, if he had any doubts, now knows he is in a competitive league this season, but he also knows he has a special striker to help him with the challenge.

Drogba again played in tandem with Anelka and even at this early stage the team selection is beginning to have a settled look about it.

There was just one change today from the Wembley side of last weekend, José Bosingwa coming in at right back in place of Branislav Ivanovic.

Hull included new-signing Stephen Hunt, ever a villain around these parts for the injury he inflicted on Petr Cech, and the winger did nothing to placate the Stamford Bridge crowd with a studs-high foul into the groin on Lampard before a minute had even been played.

Without delay the Blues were on the attack and Drogba smashed a volley the wrong side of the post when well found by an Essien cross.

Another Drogba volley, from a much less presentable chance, flew well wide soon after and Mikel also shot wide on five minutes.

Hull had their first chance on nine minutes following a long-ball move - Boateng missing with Cech extended. Then Hunt supplied a cross for an unmarked Marney to head off-target. That was slack by Chelsea.

John Mikel Obi battles for the ball

Terry went the closest yet with a header soon after, directing Malouda's corner onto the roof of the net having won the ball with typical determination, and it was the skipper who initially cleared when Hull went straight down the other end and won a corner of their own.

This time the ball fell to Boateng on the edge of the area who forced Cech to save hurriedly with his feet.

The bright start by Ancelotti's men had become stifled by Hull's five-man midfield and throughout the game the chances would not fall to Lampard like they did to others.

However Chelsea broke the shackles on 24 minutes with sheer excellence of passing. Mikel, Lampard and Drogba were all involved before Gardner managed to block Malouda's attempted side-foot finish.

Essien then headed wide at the far post from the corner that followed when he would often have scored.

The first goal scored in this top flight season is not one Chelsea fans will wish to remember for long.

Scored by Hunt who almost celebrated in front of the Chelsea fans in the Shed until he thought better of it, there was plenty of good fortune for Irishman as the ball fell kindly via deflections off Bosingwa and Mikel for a ten-yard finish.

The deflections were on Boateng's original shot after a Mikel clearance, the Dutch midfielder again looking dangerous as he lurked on the edge of the box.

Hull's hope would have been to hold that lead until half time to build the tension. Drogba made sure that didn't happen with yet another special strike.

The decision to award Chelsea a free-kick 30 yards out did not please the Hull management but that was of little concern to our number 11.

Taking aim, he sweetly dipped the ball up and then down into the bottom corner with stunning accuracy.

Drogba celebrates the equaliser

The equaliser had come in the 36th minute and there were three chances for a half-time lead.

Essien's 40th minute volley skipped over the turf and was saved low down by Myhill and then Drogba brilliance forced another save following a turn.

Essien then saw another shot saved shortly after Mendy had become the game's first booking for awful chop on Malouda.

As at Wembley, Ballack replaced Mikel at half-time with Essien dropping deeper and before many were back in their seats, Chelsea could have taken the lead had Anelka not wastefully shot at Myhill when teed-up by Drogba.

Last season's Golden Boot winner was then denied by a good tackle from Dawson when closing in.

Drogba and Carvalho had efforts blocked in one continuous scramble as Chelsea turned up the heat and then Myhill saved from just six yards from Drogba after Terry nodded on from an aerial challenge.

Anelka's half improved with a beautifully-judged pass to Drogba just before the hour but the Ivorian's control deserted him, much to his own clear frustration.

Gardner later dispossessed Lampard as the Chelsea man was on the verge of breaking through. The game was much like many a siege in this stadium in recent years, and there were the first murmurs of frustration from the stands.

Ricardo Carvalho wins the header

On 68 minutes Deco came on from Malouda, Hull at the same time replacing Hunt for another new signing - Kamel Ghilas.

Essien, who wasn't shy about shooting today, cracked another long-range volley a couple of yards wide on 74 minutes, a minute before Bosingwa worked himself some space to test Myhill at the near post.

Ballack struck a rising shot that was deflected on its way over before Ancelotti made his second change, Kalou a straight swap for Anelka. Within seconds the new arrival stretched but could only head over a Deco cross.

Into the last five minutes of normal time, Carvalho met a corner and headed over but then Hull went even closer as Folan's shot deflected wickedly and Cech had to back peddle fast to push to ball over.

There was still hope when six minutes of added time were indicated and there is always hope when Didier Drogba is on the pitch.

It was he who both started and finished the winning move, bursting forward and exchanging passes with Deco before from just a couple of yards from the bye-line, he some how guided the ball over the impressive Myhill and into the far side of the net. Reports are he has admitted a cross was his intention, but it was world class display all the same.

Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2): Cech, Bosingwa Carvalho, Terry (c), A Cole; Mikel (Ballack h-t); Essien, Malouda (Deco 68); Lampard; Anelka (Kalou 78), Drogba.
Scorer Drogba 36, 90+1.
Booked Drogba 90+1.

Hull(4-5-1):Myhill; Dawson, Gardner, Turner, Mouyokolo; Mendy (Geovanni 77), Marney (Barmby 43), Olofinjana, Boateng (c), Hunt (Ghilas 68); Folan,
Scorer Hunt 28
Booked Mendy 45.