RIGHTING THE WRONGS

After the season's first taste of defeat on Sunday, Ashley Cole is determined to make amends at Hull tonight.

The left-back returned to the team after a hamstring injury to face Liverpool at Stamford Bridge three days ago, and believes we must bounce back quickly to keep the pressure on at the top of the table.

'It goes without saying that we were all gutted in the changing room after the game, not just to lose but against one of our main rivals and at home,' Cole said.

'We didn't play very well and Liverpool made themselves tough to break down, meaning we couldn't create many chances after they had scored the lucky goal early on.'

It was the first defeat suffered since a 2-1 reverse in Turkey against Fenerbahçe more than six months ago, and the first of Luiz Felipe Scolari's reign as manager.

Now Cole insists the players must regroup and refocus before a tricky trip north against the Premier League's surprise package.

'We have spoken since the Liverpool game and know we have to get over it quickly and bounce back against Hull,' he explained, 'otherwise we will get caught out like a lot of other sides have done against them.

'They have surprised a lot of people so far, beating the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham and we have to make sure Chelsea isn't added to that list.

'Going up there we can't be looking for anything less than a win because we have to make sure we keep in touch with Liverpool and catch them as soon as we can.'

That will certainly be the aim for Scolari and his men, and assistant Ray Wilkins has already shared his expectations of a return to winning ways.

With the quiet determination that runs through the squad, it would take a brave man to bet against it.

Hull City will be collecting donations from fans at the game tonight to raise funds on behalf of their goalkeeper Matt Duke, who has overcome testicular cancer during the last few months. He is now raising money for the Everyman cancer charity.

Chelsea TV tonight at midnight screens the full match.