Just two hot for Hull
and when Pedro’s lovely flick put Giroud clear on goal and onside, the Frenchman could have done better than flick the ball over the bar.
Fabregas’s pass put Pedro through but as Marshall dashed out, the Spaniard could only get a touch, and the ball trickled just wide.
Chelsea were dominant and when Danny Drinkwater drilled the ball across goal, Giroud was an inch away. From Willian’s explosive run, Pedro was clear on goal but Marshall saved. It could not last. Another lovely pass from Fabregas split the defence, Pedro controlled instantly, and this time did not waste it.
It was 3-0 just five minutes later as Stewart again lost the ball, Giroud fed Willian again and the Brazilian curled his shot around the hapless Marshall. Hull could not cope.
Three minutes before halftime it was four as Emerson burst down the left and crossed low, and at last Giroud had his first Chelsea goal, neatly flicking in at the near post.
Conte has had to manage his squad through a tricky period and there was no Hazard last night – obviously saved for Barca on Tuesday.
But the gulf between an under-strength side struggling in the Championship and one battling for the top four was predictably vast.
But then a glimmer of hope for Hull. Fabregas clumsily felled Harry Wilson in the area for a clear penalty and up stepped David Meyler to take the spot-kick, only to fire too close to Willy Caballero, who pulled off a fine save.
When it is not your night, it really is not your night.
CHELSEA Booked: HULL (4-2-3-1): Referee: (3-4-3): Goals: Booked: