Chelsea’s early-season promise has begun to come with a familiar warning: there is plenty to admire going forward, but far too much to repair at the other end. Xabi Alonso’s side were held 2-2 by unbeaten Hull City at Stamford Bridge, surrendering an early lead before Joao Pedro’s second-half equaliser spared them a more uncomfortable afternoon.
Chelsea 2-2 Hull City: Belloumi double leaves Alonso seeking defensive answers
The draw leaves Chelsea fourth on seven points, one behind Hull, the promoted side who sit third after an eye-catching start to life back in the Premier League. Chelsea had won their opening two league fixtures before a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, and this was another reminder that Alonso’s project remains very much in the building phase.
Morgan Rogers gave the home side a seventh-minute advantage. Cole Palmer found Joao Pedro, who moved the ball out to the left for Rogers. The former Aston Villa player drove a fierce left-footed shot inside Konstantinos Tzolakis’s near post.
It was Rogers’ seventh goal contribution across six appearances since arriving at the Bridge, and it also ended Hull’s remarkable run without conceding. Tzolakis had gone 277 league minutes before being beaten; Hull had been the division’s last side yet to let in a goal.
That clean sheet did not last, but Hull’s composure did. A long kick from Tzolakis caused trouble when Jorrel Hato failed to deal with Ryan Giles’ delivery, allowing Mohamed Belloumi to strike a left-footed volley beyond Emiliano Martínez in the 28th minute.
Levi Colwill then blocked a Coyle effort four minutes later, briefly preventing the visitors from taking control. Hull nevertheless turned the match around almost immediately. Semi Ajayi headed a corner against the crossbar after Martínez had come unconvincingly for the ball, before Belloumi collected an Ollie McBurnie lay-off and fired in from the edge of the area.
The Algerian’s brace was Hull’s first in the Premier League since Oumar Niasse scored twice in 2017. It also exposed a Chelsea weakness which is now becoming difficult to file under early-season inconvenience: they have conceded in 20 consecutive league matches, their longest such run for 65 years.
Martínez ensured the afternoon did not get worse shortly after the hour. He spilled a long-range attempt from Slater in the 61st minute but recovered in time to stop McBurnie when the striker bore down on goal.
Chelsea’s route back was a more familiar one, with wide delivery eventually paying off. Palmer pulled the ball back in the 66th minute and Joao Pedro swept a left-footed finish into the net. The Brazilian, named the Premier League’s player of the month for August, now has three league goals and two assists.
The closing stages belonged largely to Tzolakis, who kept Hull level with a composed series of saves. He held Reece James’ shot from outside the box on 76 minutes, denied Joao Pedro in a one-on-one eight minutes later, and repelled Estêvão’s tight-angle attempt in stoppage time.
Hull still had an opening to take all three points. Martínez made an important 87th-minute save from Mohamed-Ali Cho, who met another Giles cross from close range. Neither team found a late winner, leaving Hull’s unbeaten record intact and Chelsea with another week to consider why their attacking quality is not yet matched by defensive order.
SEO Title: Chelsea 2-2 Hull City: Alonso’s Blues held at Stamford Bridge
SEO Description: Chelsea drew 2-2 with unbeaten Hull City as Mohamed Belloumi scored twice, while Joao Pedro rescued a point for Xabi Alonso’s side.
