Chelsea were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw with Hull City at Stamford Bridge after another afternoon in which their attacking talent was asked to compensate for defensive uncertainty.
Xabi Alonso’s side had opportunities to take control, and for long stretches they possessed the superior players and greater attacking threat. Hull, though, found weaknesses that Chelsea have yet to eliminate.
Morgan Rogers struck early before Mohamed Belloumi scored twice to turn the match around. Joao Pedro eventually restored parity, but Chelsea could not find the third goal required to complete the recovery.
Rogers Gives Chelsea Perfect Start
Chelsea could scarcely have asked for a better opening.
Hull won an early corner, yet within moments they were watching Rogers race towards the opposite end. Chelsea broke quickly, the ball eventually reaching their £117million summer signing, who fired beyond Konstantinos Tzolakis at the near post.
It continued Rogers’ encouraging start in blue and provided another example of the considerable attacking quality available to Alonso.
Pedro Neto might have doubled the advantage soon afterwards, but Chelsea failed to establish the control that their early goal should have provided.
Hull gradually became more adventurous, particularly when exploiting spaces around Chelsea’s defensive line.
Belloumi Punishes Defensive Errors
Chelsea’s problems arrived through errors rather than sustained Hull dominance.
Jorrel Hato badly misjudged a bouncing ball inside his own penalty area, allowing Belloumi the opportunity to produce an excellent finish into the bottom corner.
Hull’s second exposed Chelsea again.
The Blues failed to deal properly with a corner, Semi Ajayi beating Emiliano Martinez in the air before the loose ball eventually fell to Belloumi. His second goal ensured Hull entered half time with an improbable 2-1 advantage.
For Alonso, the nature of the goals will be particularly frustrating. Chelsea have sufficient attacking talent…
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