Alonso Laments Chelsea’s Defensive Struggles After Disappointing Draw With Hull

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has expressed his frustration following the Blues’ defensive struggles this season.

The London giants dropped points for the second straight game on Saturday, as they drew 2-2 with Hull City in Saturday’s league tie at Stamford Bridge.

Morgan Rogers opened the scoring in the 7th minute off an assisted by João Pedro after a counter, ending Hull’s clean-sheet start to the season.

Hull then scored twice in six minutes (28th, 34th minutes) through Mohamed Belloumi’s brace, the first after Jorrel Hato misjudged a bouncing cross from Ryan Giles (following a long ball and poor dealing by Malo Gusto).

Then the second after Emiliano Martínez failed to claim a corner, with Semi Ajayi’s header hitting the bar and Belloumi converting the rebound which took a deflection.

Brazil striker João Pedro then drew Chelsea level in the 66th minute, finishing Cole Palmer’s low cross.

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Chelsea have now gone 20 Premier League matches without a clean sheet and conceded nine goals across four league games this season (also multiple goals in every match so far).

The attack—particularly the Rogers-Palmer-Pedro combination—continues to produce, with the trio linking for both goals and contributing heavily early in the campaign, but midfield control and defensive concentration remain problems.

Speaking after the disappointing draw, Alonso said in his post-match analysis:“It may be entertaining but I hope one day you say it’s a boring game and we win. It kind of repeats some patterns we are making. It will take time to fix them. When we take the lead, we still need to be competing and not give up the chances so easily.

“We are talking, we will address, we will get better but it’s having an impact on our game at the moment.”

“We need to be aware that any situation, any team in the Premier League can hurt you. It was a long ball, two bounces, the way it happened. The danger can come from any situation. If you are soft, if you don’t prepare, you will be punished.”