Chelsea were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw by newly promoted Hull City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, after Joao Pedro scored in the second half to rescue a point for the Blues.
Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead in the seventh minute, but Mohamed Belloumi turned the game around with two goals in the space of six minutes to give Hull a 2-1 lead before half-time.
Belloumi first volleyed Ryan Giles’ cross into the net in the 28th minute before striking again six minutes later after Oli McBurnie reacted quickest to a rebound off the crossbar.
Chelsea struggled to break down a resilient Hull defence after the interval, but their in-form forward Joao Pedro levelled in the 66th minute.
The Brazilian produced a composed left-footed finish into the near corner after receiving a low cross from Cole Palmer.
Chelsea pushed for a winner in the closing stages, with Palmer, Reece James and Rogers all coming close, but Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis stood firm.
Hull also had opportunities to snatch all three points, with substitute Mohamed-Ali Cho seeing a late effort comfortably saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The result extended Hull’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season and maintained their impressive run against established opposition.
The Tigers, who have already defeated Manchester United and Coventry, remain third in the table, while Chelsea sit fourth.
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The draw also highlighted Chelsea’s defensive problems under new manager Xabi Alonso.
The Blues have now conceded two or more goals in every Premier League match since Alonso took charge and have gone 20 league games without keeping a clean sheet.
Despite their defensive struggles, Chelsea remain the league’s top scorers with 10 goals from their opening matches.
For Hull, the result represented another significant statement from a side many had tipped for an immediate return to the Championship before the season began.
Belloumi was named Player of the Match after his first-half brace, while Chelsea will now be left to rue another missed opportunity to secure a home victory.
