Hull’s Phil Brown admitted he was “bitterly disappointed” at losing the game in injury time.

But the Hull boss was more than pleased with his team’s overall performance.

“I am bitterly disappointed but pleased that we put a marker down in London yet again,” said Brown.

“This is what we asked the players to do. We played better today than last season and yet we got a point then.

“We got to 92 minutes and were done by a cross which Didier has admitted. It was a pleasing performance and the game plan was to frustrate Chelsea. We knew they had the quality to beat us and turn the game on its head and that happened in the 92nd minute.”

Brown was particularly pleased with the performance of debutant Hunt, who put the Tigers ahead against the run of play in the opening half.

“We had three or four new players on show who are learning all about Phil Brown and what it is like to play for Hull City,” added Brown.

“He’s had a quite a energetic first game but we knew it would be difficult for him today.

“He’s tenacious and gets in the face of the opposition and sometimes teams or players don’t like that but he is my kind of player.”

Hull only just survived relegation last year and Brown acknowledges they will have to prove the doubters wrong once more.

“We survived last year and people doubted us but we have to prove them wrong again.”