Live Commentary - Hull City vs Chelsea | A Friday Night Thriller at the KCOM Stadium | 13.02.2026

The air at the KCOM Stadium tonight, Friday the 13th of February 2026, felt less like a tense football ground and more like a high-voltage theatre. I remember pushing through the turnstiles, the smell of Lincolnshire sausages mixing with the anxious chatter of thousands of dedicated fans. This was more than just an FA Cup Fifth Round tie; for Hull City, this was a statement game. For the travelling Stamford Bridge side, it was a necessary step on the road to silverware.

Chelsea, riding high on a recent run of domestic success, faced a gritty Hull side determined to cause a classic cup upset. Could the Tigers’ tactical setup neutralize the attacking prowess of the Blues? Our real-time coverage starts here, capturing every tackle, save, and dramatic twist from the opening whistle to the final seconds.

Pre-Match Jitters and Tactical Showdown

The lineup announcements confirmed the speculation: Chelsea’s manager opted for a strong starting XI, but introduced a couple of key rotations, bringing in young talent like winger Jamie Dixon for pace, while Hull City deployed their favored 4-4-2 formation, relying heavily on the counter-attacking speed of their top scorer, Elias Jensen.

The stakes were palpable. For Hull, currently battling for a Championship promotion place, this fixture offered invaluable exposure and a chance to test their mettle against European giants. For Chelsea, anything less than a convincing victory would be seen as a failure by the traveling support and the wider Premier League audience.

The atmosphere built rapidly. As the teams walked out, the roar of the crowd was deafening—a testament to the enduring magic of the FA Cup. The Hull faithful knew that their best chance lay in the opening twenty minutes, catching the Premier League visitors cold.

Key Predicted Matchups:

• Midfield Battle: Chelsea's veteran holding midfielder vs. Hull's energetic pivot, Rhys Davies, dictating tempo.
• Wing Defense: How Hull’s full-backs would cope with the pace and flair of Dixon and the Blues’ overlapping runs.
• Goalkeeper Performance: Hull keeper, Mark Bentley, needed a career-defining game.

The whistle blew exactly at 7:45 PM GMT. The match was underway.

First Half Firepower: Drama at the KCOM Stadium

0' - 15' Minutes: Hull Starts Fast. True to their game plan, Hull City pressed incredibly high. The 3rd minute saw the first genuine chance: a quick breakaway by Jensen forcing a hurried clearance from the Chelsea center-back, Kalidou. The Hull crowd went wild over a corner kick that unfortunately led to nothing.

18th Minute: Early Booking. Frustration mounted for the Blues as Hull’s energy disrupted their rhythm. A clumsy tackle in the midfield resulted in a yellow card for Chelsea’s Captain, underscoring the Tigers’ intensity.

25th Minute: Chelsea Finds Their Footing. The London side began to assert dominance, utilizing precise short passes to bypass Hull’s press. A beautiful sequence involving three players culminated in a powerful 20-yard strike by Dixon, forcing an outstanding, sprawling save from Bentley. The rebound was hammered wide.

GOAL! 34th Minute: Hull City Takes the Lead! (1-0) Against the run of play, the KCOM Stadium exploded. A lapse in concentration from Chelsea's defensive line allowed a long ball over the top. Elias Jensen, utilizing his exceptional pace, rounded the keeper and slotted the ball calmly into the empty net. A classic cup shock goal!

The momentum shifted entirely. Hull defended with ferocious unity, dropping deeper to protect their fragile advantage. Chelsea looked visibly shaken, their passes becoming forced and rushed.

40th Minute: Controversy! A massive penalty shout for Chelsea was immediately dismissed by the referee after a robust, shoulder-to-shoulder challenge inside the box. VAR checked the incident quickly, confirming the on-field decision. The tension was almost unbearable.

Half Time Whistle: Hull City 1 - 0 Chelsea. The scoreboard reflected a perfect defensive and clinical first-half performance from the home side. The Blues needed a major tactical rethink during the break.

Second Half Thrills and Chelsea's Breakthrough

The second half began with immediate changes for Chelsea. The manager introduced two attacking substitutions, swapping out a tired full-back and the previously booked central midfielder for fresher, more aggressive personnel. The shift was clear: all-out attack.

48th Minute: Relentless Pressure. Chelsea emerged from the tunnel with renewed vigor. Wave after wave of attack slammed against the Hull defense. The sheer quality difference began to show as Hull players tired quickly from the intense defensive effort required in the first 45 minutes.

55th Minute: Bentley's Brilliance Continues. Keeper Bentley pulled off two incredible reaction saves in the span of sixty seconds, denying a close-range header and tipping a dipping shot over the bar. His performance was single-handedly keeping the Tigers in the lead.

GOAL! 63rd Minute: Chelsea Equalizes! (1-1) The dam finally broke. Following sustained pressure and a series of neat passes just outside the box, a low cross found its way to substitute striker Marc Vella, who took a touch and hammered the ball into the top corner. Vella’s instant impact proved the manager’s tactical acumen.

The atmosphere, once euphoric, turned nervous for Hull. They had lost their lead and Chelsea sensed blood.

75th Minute: Hull Fades. The home side was visibly exhausted, struggling to maintain possession or launch any meaningful counter-attack. The technical superiority and deeper squad quality of the Premier League side were starting to dominate.

GOAL! 80th Minute: Chelsea Takes the Lead! (1-2) A devastating blow for the Tigers. Jamie Dixon, who had been electric all night, cut inside from the left wing, beating two defenders, and unleashed a curling shot that flew past the outstretched arm of Bentley. The quality of the finish was undeniable. The decisive moment in the match.

85th Minute: Last Desperate Push. Hull threw men forward, pushing their entire defense line up the pitch in a desperate search for an equalizer that would force extra time. This left massive gaps at the back.

90+2 Minute: CLINCHER! (1-3) With Hull committed, Chelsea launched a lightning-fast counter-attack. Vella, capitalizing on a fantastic through ball, coolly chipped the oncoming keeper to seal the victory and his brace. Game over.

Match Analysis: Where Was the Game Won?

The final whistle brought a mix of relief and disappointment. Chelsea secured their place in the quarter-finals, but Hull City earned massive respect for their defiant performance, especially in the first half.

The game was ultimately won in the tactical adjustments made by Chelsea's management at halftime. The introduction of Vella and the immediate high-tempo press neutralized Hull’s ability to transition defensively. Hull’s incredible defensive effort simply couldn't be sustained against a team with the depth of the Blues.

Key Takeaways from the Match Result:

• Squad Depth Matters: Chelsea's substitutions changed the dynamic completely, highlighting the difference in resources between the top flight and the Championship.
• Bentley’s Heroics: Hull’s keeper Mark Bentley was the undisputed Man of the Match for the Tigers, preventing a far heavier scoreline.
• Elias Jensen’s Potential: The Hull striker proved he can trouble top-tier defenses, boosting his market value significantly.
• Midfield Control: Despite a shaky start, Chelsea's midfield eventually dominated possession metrics (65% to 35%).

Chelsea moves forward, their pursuit of the domestic treble still alive. For Hull City, they leave the competition with their heads held high, knowing they pushed one of Europe’s elite clubs to their absolute limit. The focus now shifts back to their crucial fixtures in the league.

The final score, 3-1 to the visitors, does not fully reflect the drama and high stakes of this FA Cup thriller. The KCOM Stadium provided the perfect backdrop for a Friday night upset that almost was. Thank you for joining our live commentary coverage of this historic clash on 13.02.2026.

Live Commentary - Hull City vs Chelsea | 13.02.2026

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