Chelsea failed to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League after coming from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw with Hull City thanks to a Didier Drogba free-kick at the KC Stadium.
Drogba's strike cancelled out a header from Hull defender Steven Mouyokolo in the first half, but the Blues could not get a winner.
Chelsea had the chance to extend their lead over Manchester United at the top of the Premier League to four points, but a spirited display from Hull denied them.
Tigers manager Phil Brown gave youngster Tom Cairney a starting place in midfield along with Stephen Hunt, who had a bid for his services from Wolverhampton Wanderers rejected on deadline day.
Jozy Altidore and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink started up front for the home side.
Chelsea had Joe Cole and Ashley Cole on the substitutes' bench but were boosted by the return of Drogba after returning from the African Nations Cup.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancellotti kept faith with his under-fire skipper John Terry at the heart of the defence, who was predictably booed throughout the game by the Hull fans.
Frank Lampard had the first opportunity of the game inside the first 10 minutes, firing a blistering effort at goal, which was parried away by Boaz Myhill in the Tigers goal.
The ball bounced out to Nicolas Anelka inside the box but the Frenchman could only slice his shot horribly wide.
After 25 minutes, Branislav Ivanovic whipped in a cross from the right, which Michael Ballack could only head straight at Myhill when he should have done better.
Hull took a surprise lead on the half hour mark with their first real chance of the game. Hunt curled a corner in from the right for Mouyokolo who rose above Ballack and nodded it into the net.
Chelsea tried to hit back straight away through Anelka who cut in from the right and fired his effort low and hard, but Myhill was equal to it.
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The Tigers keeper had to be on his toes again moments later as he did well to hold on to the ball after Deco picked it up 25 yards out and drilled an effort towards goal, which bounced wickedly in front of Myhill.
The away side continued to press for an equaliser and got their reward on 42 minutes. Drogba curled a free-kick from the left of the penalty area through the Tigers wall and past the outstretched Myhill into the far corner of the net.
Hull should have gone in at half-time in front though, as Anthony Gardner headed a free-kick over the bar from close range seconds before the interval when he looked certain to score.
Phil Brown's men started the second half brightly, with Altidore heading straight at Petr Cech from a Hunt free-kick and then Cairney went close on two occasions having a shot blocked on the edge of the box and then firing over the bar.
Ivanovic then tested Myhill at the other end, powering an effort at goal from distance before Lampard hit the rebound well over.
Hull were growing in confidence as the game progressed knocking the ball around in the middle of the park and causing the Blues defence a few problems through Altidore and Hunt.
Chelsea created an opportunity for themselves though, when Florent Malouda combined well with Drogba and drilled an effort from the left of the penalty box, which Myhill turned around the near post.
The home side then had a chance at the other end, with goal scorer Mouyokolo meeting a corner at the near post but heading just wide.
With time running out for the Blues, Carlo Ancelotti introduced Ashley Cole, Joe Cole and Daniel Sturridge, but they could not get the vital winner.
Sturridge had a chance in added time, racing onto a through ball but failed to beat the magnificent Myhill once again.
Hull continued to battle well and deserved their point, which could be crucial in their fight to avoid relegation.
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