Previous Match
Problems on the home front continue as attacking promise of the first half gave way to a poor display after the interval.
It took a good save from debutant Quaresma early on, Ballack went close with a free-kick before the break and Terry should have scored as early as the second minute, but once again a five-man midfield and committed defence from a visiting team proved sufficient to take something away from the Bridge.
Chelsea can point to a legitimate penalty shout in the second half but for every chance the Blues had after the break, Hull came close to landing a sucker punch.
It was not the response every Chelsea follower was looking for after the grim events at Anfield.
Malouda was the player to make way for Quaresma The Frenchman wasn't on the bench either - young Miroslav Stoch the chosen wideman among the subs.
Hilario came in for injured Cech as the only other change, 18-year-old Rhys Taylor was on the bench.
Quaresma started on the left but would switch wings throughout the game and his first involvement was to win a free-kick out wide.
Taken by Lampard, it was flicked on by Ballack and Duke made a hurried save low down by his feet on the line. Terry was there to pounce, but from three yards out he scooped his shot over.
Geovanni attempted a typically long-range strike for Hull on nine minutes which flashed across Hilario's goal but in the end fell five-yards wide.
Quaresma, back on the left, sent over one of his trademark outside-of-the-right-boot crosses that Anelka attacked but couldn't make. That was after 15 minutes of Chelsea on top but not dominating.
Four minutes later it took a full-length finger-tip save from the Hull keeper to deny Quarsema a debut goal. Chelsea had only just defended a dangerous corner from the away team but suddenly broke with three men onto two defenders.
Kalou found the new arrival on the left who cut inside before curling a shot that was heading inside the post before Duke's interception.
Alex headed a corner over after 22 minutes, a powerful driving run by Lampard having created the initial pressure.
Now the Chelsea chances were coming. A well-directed Quaresma corner was cleared but with great technique it was volleyed back by Lampard, the ball striking a Hull body and flying wide.
At the other end Mikel was turned by Geovanni and then brought the Brazilian down in a dangerous position to earn a booking. The same player took the free-kick but was off-target.
There were more than justified questions soon after as to why Zayette wasn't cautioned for a similar foul on Ballack. 'Are you Riley in disguise?' sang the crowd.
Again the sinned-against player lined up the set piece but with the keeper rooted, Ballack missed by a whisker and found the sidenetting.
Terry had a thumping header from a corner blocked as Chelsea continued to look more dangerous than for some time at the Bridge, but with that vital cutting edge still proving elusive.
The next free-kick for the home team on 34 minutes meant it was Lampard's turn and rather than Ballack's guile, the England man went for sheer power. Zayatte stopped it with a part of the body he wouldn't have chosen. After several painful moments and treatment, the centre-back could continue.
Five minutes from the interval the Tigers showed some teeth, full-back Ricketts crossing for Kilbane on the left to head down and watch as it skimmed the post. On the stroke of half-time Marney backheaded a cross just over.
It might have been an improved first-half performance compared with many recent home games, but there was still a feeling of same old story as the teams went down the tunnel at the break.
The first incident of the second half was a booking for Ashbee, the Hull captain catching Ballack with a late challenge.
The visitors then threatened with another whipped in corner and header that Ballack blocked before a real Chelsea escape.
As Bosingwa dawdled and Mikel was indecisive, Fagan nipped in to take a loose ball and race through one-on-one with Hilario. The striker fluffed his big moment and chipped tamely into our keeper's arms.
That was to be Mikel's last involvement in of a game in which Geovanni had troubled him. Belletti was introduced 56 minutes in.
Ashley Cole attempted to take the initiative back but floated a lob over.
Quaresma's lively debut ended on 62 minutes when Drogba was brought on. Anelka pushed out wide.
But the second half continued in worrying fashion. Hull really should have taken the lead when the Chelsea defence was caught as if frozen, Geovanni slipping a reserve pass through to Marney who all alone, pulled his shot wide.
On 68 minutes it was time for Chelsea to feel aggrieved. Kalou's long-range drive was at best speculative but inside the area, it was stopped with what was clearly the arm of Dawson. Referee Lee Mason, in charge of his second Chelsea game, waved play on.
Deco came on for Ballack with 18 minutes remaining as Scolari continued to search for the winning mix.
There was a wait for the next chance, and when it came from Anelka's pass and Kalou's determination to win that ball, the Ivorian shot too close to Duke.
Another free-kick on 86 minutes meant another player's turn, Drogba's this time, but he was a long way off-target.
Still Hull continued to give as good as they got in the second period. It took strong Terry defending to make amends after an Alex mistake and then Ashbee thankfully volleyed wide as a corner was cleared his way.
The whistle blew moments later on Chelsea fourth scoreless draw of the season, the first of 2009, but Hull had their first clean sheet in 16 league games.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Hilario; Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, A Cole; Ballack (Deco 72), Mikel (Belletti 56), Lampard; Quaresma (Drogba 62), Anelka, Kalou.
Booked Mikel 26.
Hull(4-2-3-1): Duke; Ricketts, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson; Ashbee (c), Marney; Garcia, Geovanni (France 80), Kilbane; Fagan.
Booked Ashbee 47
