Chelsea’s Clean-Sheet Drought Hits 20 Matches After Hull Draw

Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Hull City at Stamford Bridge after Mohamed Belloumi struck twice to underline a damaging run of defensive failures. The result extended Chelsea’s league clean-sheet drought to 20 matches, their longest such sequence for 65 years, and left Xabi Alonso frustrated by his side’s inability to protect an early advantage.

What changed for Chelsea

Morgan Rogers gave Chelsea a fast start, beating Konstantinos Tzolakis in the seventh minute after the home side had pressed Hull deep into their own half. But the lead did not provide the control Alonso wanted.

Jorrel Hato failed to deal with a bouncing ball in the Chelsea area, allowing Belloumi to level in the 28th minute. The Algerian winger then put Hull in front shortly afterwards when his effort took a deflection off Levi Colwill.

Chelsea recovered after half-time and drew level through Joao Pedro, who finished Cole Palmer’s pass emphatically by driving the ball into the top of the net. They could not find a late winner, despite taking control of the closing stages.

Alonso said the team had not maintained its standards after going ahead and accepted that a draw was a fair outcome.

“We are disappointed because we wanted to win,” he said. “Especially after taking the lead, we were too soft for their equaliser. We need to improve. Fifteen or 20 good minutes are not enough; you have to perform at your best for the whole 90 minutes.

“There are periods when we cannot sustain the momentum and intensity. We had chances and could have done more.”

• Chelsea have now gone 20 league fixtures without a clean sheet.
• They have allowed at least two goals in each of their first four league matches, a run not seen by the club for 10 years.
• In all competitions, Chelsea have conceded three goals in two of their three home games this season.

Competition context

The draw came after Chelsea’s defeat at Arsenal last weekend and denied Alonso’s side the response they had sought at home. Their only shutout of the campaign remains the 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Luton Town last month.

Belloumi’s second goal exposed the fragility that has become a recurring concern during the opening weeks. Chelsea still created enough to take the points, but Alonso noted that the search for a winner also left his team vulnerable at the other end.

“We had one or two opportunities to win it, but you are still open,” Alonso said. “I am not happy. We can improve, and we got what we deserved.”

What is scheduled next

Chelsea travel to Brentford on Friday in their final match before the international break. Alonso’s immediate task will be to turn possession and attacking pressure into a more secure defensive performance, with the club seeking only its second clean sheet of the season.