London - Didier Drogba scored a fortuitous winner in injury time to give Chelsea a 2-1 victory over Hull City on Saturday in the first match of the English Premier League season. Stephen Hunt put Hull ahead midway through the first half but Drogba equalized with a superb free-kick nine minutes later and the Ivory Coast striker found the net with what looked like an attempted cross to give Chelsea an opening-day win for the eighth year in a row.
In Carlo Ancelotti's first game in charge, Chelsea had Hull on the rack throughout but were frustrated by the visitors' defence and a superb performance from goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.
Hunt, a summer signing from Reading, gave Hull a surprise lead on 28 minutes, slotting the ball into an empty net after George Boateng's shot had been deflected into his path.
Their lead lasted just nine minutes, though, as Drogba, after Chelsea were awarded a soft-free-kick on the edge of the box, found the corner of the net with a sweet strike.
Chelsea dominated the second half and Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou and Michael Essien all went close before Drogba, in the second of six added minutes, tried a cross from an acute angle and looked on in delight as the ball found the far top corner.
Later on Saturday, Arsenal travel to Everton, while Manchester City are away to Blackburn Rovers.
