Chelsea held by Hull City after Mohamed Belloumi double exposes defensive flaws

Chelsea’s troubled start under Xabi Alonso continued as Hull City recovered from an early deficit to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge, with Mohamed Belloumi scoring twice in six minutes to highlight the hosts’ defensive weaknesses.

Morgan Rogers gave Chelsea the perfect start after seven minutes, but two errors at the back allowed Hull to move in front before Joao Pedro equalised in the second half.

The result preserves Hull City’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season. Chelsea, meanwhile, have conceded two or more goals in each of their opening four league matches, a run last seen at Stamford Bridge in the 2015-16 season.

The draw also means Chelsea have failed to win any of their last five home Premier League matches against newly promoted sides.

Rogers puts Chelsea in control

Chelsea again made a fast start when Rogers opened the scoring inside seven minutes.

Cole Palmer released Joao Pedro, who turned before finding Rogers in space on the left. The winger went past Regan Slater and drove a low finish beyond Konstantinos Tzolakis at the near post.

The goal suggested Chelsea were on course for another comfortable home victory, but their control quickly disappeared as Hull exposed problems in the hosts’ defensive organisation.

Hull’s equaliser came in the 28th minute after Malo Gusto hesitated over a long ball into the corner and then failed to stop Ryan Giles from delivering into the penalty area.

Jorrel Hato appeared uncertain whether to attack the cross or retreat. He did neither, allowing the ball to travel over him and fall to Belloumi, who struck firmly into the net for his first Premier League goal.

Emiliano Martinez then made a low save to deny Giles, but Hull continued to apply pressure. Semi Ajayi headed the resulting corner against the crossbar, with Martinez struggling to deal with the danger.

Belloumi reacted first to the rebound and his powerful effort took a deflection before flying past the stranded goalkeeper. Within six minutes, Hull had turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead.

Chelsea’s midfield became increasingly exposed as misplaced passes and mistimed forward runs prevented them from re-establishing their early authority. Hull sensed the opportunity to claim another significant result.

Joao Pedro restores parity

Chelsea needed their attacking players to rescue them, and Palmer again provided the key moment.

After Nobel Mendy was forced off following a clash of heads while preventing a certain goal for Joao Pedro at the back post, Chelsea increased the pressure. Reece James went close when his free-kick struck the post.

At the other end, Martinez spilled an effort from Regan Slater but recovered in time to toe the rebound away from Oli McBurnie.

Chelsea eventually found an equaliser in the second half when Palmer made a clever run to the byline and cut the ball back into the area. Joao Pedro had found space and powered his finish into the roof of the net.

Both sides pushed for a winner. Palmer found Rogers behind the Hull defence, but Tzolakis came off his line to block the attempt. Hull substitute Mohamed-Ali Cho then went close to securing all three points, only for Martinez to dive at his feet and make the save.

Neither team could produce a decisive third goal, leaving Chelsea with more questions about their defence and Hull with an unbeaten start to the season intact.