By Our Reporter
Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Hull City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as Mohamed Belloumi’s brace punished the Blues’ defensive lapses.
Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers were among Chelsea’s standout performers going forward, but their attacking threat was undermined by familiar problems at the back.
Chelsea took the lead in the eighth minute after a flowing move involving Cole Palmer and Pedro set up Rogers. The England international drove beyond Regan Slater before firing a left-footed effort past goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Hull responded against the run of play when Belloumi capitalised on a defensive error. Ryan Giles’ cross found the Algerian forward, who controlled the ball before smashing his first-time effort into the net.
The visitors then completed the turnaround before half-time.
Goalkeeper Emi Martinez rushed off his line to deal with a corner but failed to reach the ball ahead of Semi Ajayi. Ajayi’s header struck the crossbar, with the rebound falling to Belloumi, whose deflected effort found the back of the net.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso reacted at half-time by replacing Jorrel Hato with Pep Chavarria as the hosts searched for a way back into the match.
The Blues eventually drew level when Palmer delivered a cross from the left and Pedro produced a powerful finish to make it 2-2.
Chelsea pushed for a winner in the closing stages, with Tzolakis making important saves from Reece James and Rogers, while Hull also threatened on the counter.
Mohamed-Ali Cho came close to restoring Hull’s lead late on, but Martinez produced a strong save to keep Chelsea level.
Neither side could find a decisive third goal despite six minutes of added time, leaving Chelsea frustrated by another match in which their attacking quality was matched by defensive uncertainty.
The draw also extended Chelsea’s long wait for a Premier League clean sheet, highlighting the defensive issues Alonso still has to resolve.