Chelsea held by impressive Hull after Joao Pedro levels late
Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Hull City at Stamford Bridge, with Joao Pedro’s second-half goal rescuing a point for Xabi Alonso’s side.
Hull arrived in west London in form. They had a chance to become the promoted team in Premier League history to keep four consecutive clean sheets. That record vanished after seven minutes.
Match highlight
Morgan Rogers continued his start for Chelsea. The forward has now been directly involved in a goal in every Premier League match he has played for the club. This time he drove a quick shot into the near corner past Konstantinos Tzolakis. That gave the hosts a lead.
Chelsea had control after the goal. Could not add a second. That allowed Hull back into the match. The visitors punished a mistake before the half-hour mark.
Ryan Giles sent a ball into the Chelsea area. Jorrel Hato misjudged the bounce. Mohamed Belloumi took advantage. The Hull forward finished past Emiliano Martinez to make it 1-1. It ended Chelsea’s run of 20 consecutive league matches without a sheet.
Six minutes later Hull were ahead.
Semi Ajayi hit the crossbar with a header. The ball came back into the area. Belloumi reacted quickest. His shot took a deflection on its way. Martinez could not keep it out. The turnaround sparked the travelling supporters to sing, "We’re going to win the league " as Hull briefly moved to the top of the Premier League table.
Chelsea increased the pressure after the break. Reece James came close with a free-kick that struck the post.. The home side still looked uncertain at the back. Martinez spilled a shot from Regan Slater. Oli McBurnie was close to reacting to the rebound before Chelsea recovered.
Alonso’s team finally found their equaliser in the minute. Joao Pedro was in the place inside the six-yard box. He finished from range to set up a tense final quarter of an hour.
Both teams had chances to win it. Rogers shot at Tzolakis. Mohamed-Ali Cho could not beat Martinez at the end. Neither side found the touch required for a winner.
Chelsea extended their head-to-head record against Hull to 18 matches. They have 15 wins and three draws.. They have now failed to win any of their last five home league matches against promoted sides. They have drawn four. Lost one.
For Hull this was another result. They have won one of their last 20 Premier League away matches.. After beating Coventry on the road a draw at Stamford Bridge adds more belief to their remarkable start. Hull sit third in the table. They are one place, above Chelsea.
