Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Chelsea and Hull City.

When Chelsea entered the month of October to face Hull City at the KCOM Stadium, they did so having suffered defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal and in truth, they didn't look like a team who could mount a title challenge. However, a 2-0 triumph over the Tigers acted as the catalyst for the Blues to go on a run of victories which could prove to be decisive at the end of the season. They have won 14 of their last 15 top-flight fixtures and another this afternoon would only strengthen their stranglehold of top spot.

As for Hull, they head into this fixture in the bottom three of the table but their fans have reason for optimism after Marco Silva secured two victories from his first three games in charge. They may have only come against Swansea City and Bournemouth - both at the KCOM Stadium - but it's a start and while they will travel to Stamford Bridge with nothing to lose, there will be an inner belief that they can cause a surprise against the West Londoners.

Before we bring you the team news, I shall point you in the direction of our coverage of the match involving Arsenal and Burnley. The Gunners lead 1-0 but Granit Xhaka has just been sent off. Things could get interesting in the final 20 minutes. Click here to follow our live text commentary.

Right then, without further ado, let's see who Antonio Conte and Marco Silva have selected this afternoon.

CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro, Diego Costa, Hazard

CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Begovic, Ake, Zouma, Chalobah, Fabregas, Willian, Batshuayi

HULL CITY XI: Jakupovic, Maguire, Davies, Dawson, Elabdellaoui, Mason, Huddlestone, Clucas, Robertson, Evandro, Hernandez

HULL CITY SUBSTITUTES: Marshall, Meyler, Maloney, Diomande, Niasse, Tymon, Bowen

First of all, let's take a look at Chelsea and the big news is the return of Diego Costa, who is selected by Conte after either an injury or a training ground bust-up - whichever one you want to believe! The forward has been linked with a move to China but he misses just one game before being recalled by his manager. He comes in for Willian. That's the only change for the Blues after their comfortable win over Leicester City last weekend.

As for Hull, Silva is dealt a blow with the news that Snodgrass is unfit because of an injury, while Adoma Diomande has been taken out of the starting lineup. Evandro is given his first start after making an impression off the bench last week, while Omar Elabdellaoui is given an immediate debut at right wing-back after signing on loan from Olympiacos. Oumar Niasse has to make do with a place on the bench.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's match represents just the 46th time in which these two teams have faced each other in a competitive fixture, with Chelsea winning 31 times compared to just the four victories for Hull. It's been 13 contests and 29 years since Hull last defeated Chelsea, with the Blues winning 11 of those games.

Earlier this afternoon, Southampton cantered to a 3-0 victory over a poor Leicester City side at St Mary's. It means that Hull remain just the five points adrift of the Premier League champions and they can haul the Foxes into a relegation battle with a positive result at Stamford Bridge. It's another incentive for the Hull players to really look to put in a performance. They are big outsiders but even a point could make all the difference.

UPDATE! There are seven minutes of added-on time at the Emirates Stadium and Burnley are taken full advantage - they have equalised! Still a few minutes to go in North London. This could be a huge moment in the title race - none of Chelsea's rivals have won this weekend! Catch the closing stages by clicking here.

There's been another goal at Arsenal - we will bring you an update on that shortly - but let's get back to this game and talk about Diego Costa. It's going to be interesting to see how the Blues faithful greet their top goalscorer. Reports suggested that he wanted to leave for the Chinese Super League after being offered the opportunity to become the highest paid player in the world but it seems that he has quickly backtracked on that ambition. It had threaten to derail Chelsea's title charge but if he can return to this team without any damage, it's a huge boost for the Blues. The supporters will probably feel that he owes them a big performance.

RESULT! We told you that there had been another late goal in North London. Unfortunately for Chelsea fans - it has gone to Arsenal, who have defeated Burnley by a 2-1 scoreline. It was a dramatic conclusion at the Emirates Stadium so you are well advised to have a read of our on-the-whistle match report.

The win for Arsenal means that they move into second position in the Premier League table, five points behind Chelsea. If Hull can gain any kind of result, it will have been an exceptional weekend for the Gunners.

PREDICTION! We are obviously going to go for Chelsea here. The absence of Snodgrass is a big blow to the Tigers but while there is excitement over their new signings, they shouldn't trouble Chelsea in front of their own fans. We think the Blues will run out 4-1 winners, with a couple of goals from the main man Costa.

Here comes the two teams. Hull skipper Michael Dawson looks extremely focused and you would imagine that he is going to have to be to stop a rampant Chelsea attack. We will be getting started in just a few minutes.

Chelsea get us underway.

CHANCE! Costa almost scores after 11 seconds. That would have been remarkable! A long ball from Luiz is headed back into the path of Costa, who chests the ball down before volleying just wide of the post.

As expected, Hull are packing everyone behind the ball apart from Hernandez and they are doing a decent job in stifling the Blues during these early stages. They can't afford to sit too deep, however. That would just be inviting pressure.

BOOKING! Dawson goes into the book for a meaty challenge on Costa on the halfway line. He can have no complaints.

SHOT! Encouraging signs from Hull as Huddlestone plays a neat one-two on the edge of the penalty area before firing just wide of Courtois's post. That's their first signs of ambition in this match.

A period of sustained pressure from Chelsea ends with Robertson conceding a corner, but the from the resulting set piece, there's a nasty clash of heads between Cahill and Mason. Both medical teams are hurried onto the pitch. There will be a stoppage here.

Cahill is up, although he looks groggy. Mason is still down and he will be coming off. He's conscious but he receiving attention from about six medical personnel.

As I say, Mason is conscious but the medical staff are taking no risks with the midfielder. They are preparing to move him onto a stretcher but it doesn't appear a simple process. He is currently being provided with oxygen and he is moving his legs, but he looked distressed as soon as contact was made.

Mason is being taken off to a warm reception from both sets of supporters. Let's hope he is ok because that didn't look great at all. David Meyler has been introduced as his replacement. We are back underway.

Cahill has been declared fit to continue. I thought Chelsea may have replaced him but it appears that he has shaken off the effects of that collision.

CHANCE! Maguire likes a run forward from the back and after weaving his way into the penalty area, his cross was deflected into the side-netting. From the resulting corner, Maguire sent a free header straight at Courtois.

BOOKING! As Chelsea looked to break, Davies stopped the counter-attack by pulling back Kante. Another deserved booking for a Hull centre-back.

SAVE! Alonso got himself on the scoresheet last week and he almost makes it three goals in two games here. He received the ball on the edge of the area before seeing his deflected shot tipped over the crossbar by Jakupovic.

The pressure is building on Hull but aside from that effort from Alonso, Chelsea haven't really worked Jakupovic. So far, it's job well done for the Tigers.

Chelsea are doing plenty of probing but there appears to be extra steel to this Hull backline. They are certainly reacting to the managerial change and seem to like Silva's style of play.

Quick reminder that we still have 15 minutes remaining in this half after the collision between Cahill and Mason. Chelsea know they have to lift their level before the break.

SAVE! Maguire has already shown in this first half that he isn't shy about coming forward and he takes another opportunity to move towards the penalty area before forcing Courtois into an decent stop to his right. Before that, Kante was booked for a late challenge in midfield.

There will be nine minutes of added-on time.

Curtis Davies is extremely fortunate to still be on the pitch. His studs have just connected with Pedro's ankle for but some reason, he hasn't received a second yellow card. It wasn't deliberate, but it was mis-timed and he should have been sent off.

Chelsea finally make the breakthrough and it just had to be Costa, didn't it? A low ball into the middle from Moses finds Costa towards the back post and his first-time shot is deflected into the corner by Jakupovic. That's harsh on Hull but Chelsea had been pushing them back.

The half-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea lead thanks to that goal from Costa. They haven't been at their best so far but they just about deserve that goal. Hull have played well but Silva has work to do at the break.

It's almost time for the teams to make their way back out at Stamford Bridge. Let's hope for no further delays to this match. There is yet to be any update on Mason.

Hull get us back underway.

The latest on Mason is that he has gone to hospital for a check. That's all that Hull have revealed so far. It's been a quiet start to this second half.

Hull have been denied an absolute stone-wall penalty. It's the clearest penalty you will see all season. Alonso attempted to clear the ball but he was a fraction too late and instead kicked Hernandez, who went down. The assistant, who was no more than eight yards away, didn't react...

BOOKING! Another Hull defender goes into the book and this time, it is Robertson, who stops a surge from Moses down the right.

SAVE! Hull are very much in this game and they force another save out of Courtois through Meyler, who sent a well-struck shot towards the bottom corner before it was punched away by the goalkeeper.

SHOT! Costa has been very lively this half and a sharp turn on the edge of the box leads to a shot on goal which is saved by Jakupovic.

SUBSTITUTION! Davies has been forced off with a hamstring injury so Silva has taken the chance to change formations. Attacker Oumar Niasse has been introduced.

There's a back-and-forth feel to this match now but the chances have dried up. However this match turns out, credit deserve a huge amount of credit for their performance. They look in good hands with Marco Silva.

SHOT! It's Hull's turn to put Chelsea under some sustained pressure and a high ball causes havoc in the home side's penalty area before Courtois tips a Dawson effort wide of the post.

Hull are very much in the ascendancy now. Chelsea are finding it difficult to stop the wave of attacks which keep coming their way. Conte is about to make a change...

SUBSTITUTIONS! In fact, it is going to be two changes. Hazard and Pedro have been taken off, with Fabregas and Willian taking their place.

SUBSTITUTION! Another alteration for Hull as Silva decides to replace Hernandez with Diomande.

There hasn't been much action in either penalty area over the last 10 minutes but Hull are still the better team at Stamford Bridge. Despite the introduction of Fabregas, Chelsea are finding it difficult to hold on to possession.

Chelsea win a free kick on the side of the penalty area and they take full advantage. A cross from Fabregas finds Cahill, who is able to run onto the ball without any pressure and head powerfully past Jakupovic from close range.

CHANCE! It really should be 3-0 but Jakupovic keeps his side in with a glimmer of hope. Fabregas's pass found Costa but despite having all the time in the world in the penalty area, he couldn't beat the goalkeeper from 12 yards out.

SUBSTITUTION! Conte makes his final alteration of the game and it's to withdraw Costa, who is replaced by Michy Batshuayi.

SAVE! Hull are still battling to get on the scoresheet and a snap-shot from Niasse forces an excellent save out of Courtois. Hull really should take the positives from this game. They have been excellent. There will be four minutes of added-on time.

The full-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea have extended their lead at the top of the table with an hard-earned win over Hull. The Blues had to work to see off the Tigers, who were the better team until Cahill's late second.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye for now.