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The Blues endured an uncomfortable opening 30 minutes of their Carling Cup third-round tie against Hull City at the KC Stadium, before cruising into the last 16 on the back of 4-0 scoreline.

Despite the millions of pounds owner Roman Abramovich has lavished on building a squad, it was 18-year-old youth team product Scott Sinclair who set the Chelsea ball rolling in the 37th minute.

From that moment Chelsea were finally at ease, and the anxiety Grant has endured over the past few uncomfortable days since taking charge following the shock departure of Jose Mourinho also disappeared.

The tie was settled by two goals in seven minutes immediately after the interval, Salomon Kalou heading home his first goal of the season in the 48th minute - before Steve Sidwell struck a searing third four minutes later for his first since a summer move from Reading.

An exclamation point was added to the scoreline when Kalou curled into the bottom right-hand corner the fourth of the night nine minutes from time.

Grant, whose position has been questioned because he lacks the necessary coaching qualifications to manage in the Barclays Premier League despite his undoubted experience gained elsewhere, was certainly a little more at ease following the game.

"I am happy with the performance," said Grant.

"We scored four goals. All came from combinations and with movement from the players, so it is a good start.

"I want Chelsea to continue playing that kind of football, but I don't expect it will be like that in a few days' time.

"But I did like the goals that we scored, and I hope we can continue on this basis."

Grant was asked whether he felt it was a performance that proved the Blues are willing to play under him.

But he deflected that by saying: "I want the players to want to play for the club - that's the most important thing.

"Managers come and go. The only thing that always remains are the supporters, but their commitment and my commitment is to the club first of all.

"We saw that the players' commitment was at a very high level for this club.

"It's not been an easy time for them after Sunday's result [losing 2-0 at Manchester United] and what happened last week.

"But they showed a very good attitude."

Hull boss Phil Brown had no complaints with the scoreline, because he appreciated his side were outclassed on the night.

"Grant made seven changes to the team beaten at Old Trafford, yet it was far from a 'weakened' line-up - in particular because there was £60million worth of talent on the bench," he noted.

"It was a lesson in quality.

"They were clinical in front of goal - and while we had chances to get something on the board, their second goal killed us and was quickly followed by the third.

"Chelsea, with their experience and quality, made the pitch big - and it was always going to be a tough night when it got to 3-0.

"The one thing I have learned from this tonight is that their players trust and believe in one another."

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