Xabi Alonso's search for defensive stability at Chelsea shows no signs of ending soon, after his side were held to a 2-2 draw by Hull City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in a match that once again exposed familiar frailties at the back.
The result means Chelsea have scored 10 goals in four Premier League matches this season but have conceded at least two in every single one of them, marking the first time in 11 years the club has started a league campaign in such fashion. Only Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town have shipped more goals than Chelsea's nine so far this term.
The problem is not new to Alonso's tenure. Chelsea have now gone 20 league matches without a clean sheet, a run stretching back to January and the longest the club has endured in 65 years.
Alonso has continued to tinker with his setup, changing formation in three consecutive matches this week — shifting shape between the loss at Arsenal, the 6-3 Carabao Cup victory over Leeds, and the draw with Hull. Despite the changes, it was the visitors who looked the more likely to snatch a winner late on, leaving a flat atmosphere among the home supporters at full time.
Morgan Rogers gave Chelsea an early lead, with Cole Palmer involved in the buildup, before Hull equalized following a defensive mix-up from Jorrel Hato, who misjudged a cross. Joao Pedro, also assisted by Palmer, restored Chelsea's advantage after the break, but Hull hit back again through Mohamed Belloumi after Chelsea failed to clear a corner.
Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic praised the performance of Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, calling him the