Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter at Stamford Bridge

In-form striker Joao Pedro scored a second-half equaliser as Chelsea rescued a point at home to promoted Hull City.

The reigning Premier League Player of the Month curled a shot into the top corner in the 66th minute, but Chelsea were unable to find a winner.

Morgan Rogers had given Chelsea the lead in the seventh minute, but Hull went into the break ahead after Mohamed Belloumi scored twice.

Chelsea's opener arrived later than usual, having scored in the first, second and fourth minutes of their previous three league matches this season.

Club record signing Rogers, their £117m buy from Aston Villa, simply shifted the ball past Matt Crooks before firing a left-footed shot beyond goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis - the first Premier League goal Hull have conceded this season.

The Blues then saw Pedro Neto flick an effort just wide before another curling shot was saved, but a lapse in concentration cost them the chance of a first Premier League clean sheet in 20 matches.

Left-back Jorrel Hato switched off to allow Belloumi to volley in Ryan Giles' cross for a 28th-minute equaliser.

That swung momentum back in Hull's favour as Lewie Coyle forced a save with a low effort before Semi Ajayi headed against the crossbar.

After the ball ricocheted off the woodwork, striker Oli McBurnie reacted quickest to divert it into the path of Belloumi, whose shot found the net via deflections off Levi Colwill and Reece James.

Xabi Alonso brought on Pep Chavarria for Hato at half-time, but Chelsea struggled to break down Hull's defence, with Tzolakis forced into action only by an excellent James free-kick shortly after the restart.

In response, McBurnie saw a close-range effort brilliantly saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez after the Argentine had parried Regan Slater's shot from the edge of the area into his path.

But Joao Pedro smashed a left-foot equaliser inside the near post after an impressive low cross from the left by Cole Palmer in the 66th minute.

Shots from the edge of the box by Palmer and James threatened to add a winner for Chelsea, while Rogers had the best late effort, saved by Tzolakis.

It was nearly all Chelsea late on as Estevao Willian and Danny Welbeck were among those brought on, but Hull substitute Mohamed-Ali Cho had arguably the best chance to win the match in the 87th minute - his poorly struck shot was easily saved.

Hull remain third and Chelsea stay fourth in the table - having played a match more than half of the Premier League's sides.

Chelsea analysis: Alonso's approach looks unsustainable

We got what we deserved - Alonso on draw with Hull

There was a subdued atmosphere at the final whistle among Chelsea's players, staff and supporters.

They had watched the team's free-flowing attacking football come unstuck against a Hull side who had not conceded a Premier League goal before kick-off.

Chelsea had previously beaten Fulham 3-2, won 4-3 at home to Brighton and lost 2-1 at Arsenal. They also overcame Leeds 6-3 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Having conceded twice here, Chelsea have now gone 20 Premier League matches without a clean sheet, a run stretching back to January. They have also conceded two or more goals in every match against Premier League opposition under new manager Xabi Alonso.

Although Chelsea are the division's top scorers with 10 goals this season, they have also conceded nine, more than all but two other Premier League sides.

The question is why, and whether the issue can be solved with the players currently at Alonso's disposal.

There is little doubt that Alonso's tactical changes have at times left Chelsea vulnerable and lacking control in possession.

Chelsea's midfield options have also come under scrutiny since Monaco withdrew from a £47m deal for Lamine Camara on deadline day. While the attack has largely thrived, several defenders have struggled for consistency.

The signing of goalkeeper Martinez from Aston Villa for £7.5m to replace Robert Sanchez has not, on its own, resolved those problems.

In recent weeks, Chelsea have often been rescued by the quality of Palmer, Joao Pedro and Rogers. This time, however, the task proved too great.

Joao Pedro still earned Chelsea a point, finishing from Palmer's low cross after earlier providing the assist for Rogers' opener.

While Chelsea's football has been entertaining, it is difficult to see how they can continue relying on this approach and consistently produce positive results.

'They're all over the shop at the back' - Given on Chelsea defence

Hull analysis: A remarkable start continues

It's a huge result for us - Sergej Jakirovic on Hull's draw at Chelsea

For a time, Hull supporters dared to dream, chanting "we are going to win the league" as their side threatened a famous win.

At one stage, the visitors were on course to go top of the Premier League.

However, hopes of a first-ever away win at Chelsea were ultimately denied by Pedro's second-half equaliser.

Despite Chelsea enjoying the majority of possession in and around Hull's penalty area, it was the Tigers who created the clearer opportunities. Substitutes Cho and, later, Lucas Herrington came closest to finding a winner.

It has been a remarkable start for the unbeaten Tigers, who have now gone four Premier League matches without defeat. Having already beaten Manchester United and Coventry, they can now add draws against Chelsea and Aston Villa to an impressive early-season record.

Many pundits had tipped Hull for an immediate return to the Championship before a ball had been kicked, making their start to the campaign all the more notable.

The only concern for the visitors was the injury suffered by in-form defender Nobel Mendy, who came off worse in a clash of heads with Joao Pedro shortly before Chelsea's equaliser.

Nevertheless, Hull will take encouragement from not only competing at Stamford Bridge but arguably proving the better side against opponents with considerably greater resources.

Player of the match

M. Belloumi
8.24
9 João Pedro
6.79
17 M. Rogers
6.61
10 C. Palmer
6.29
7 Pedro Neto
5.97
41 Estêvão
5.54
24 R. James
5.53
18 D. Welbeck
5.23
1 E. Martínez
5.16
29 Pep Chavarría
5.11
5 M. Lacroix
5.00
4 V. Barco
4.91
45 R. Lavia
4.71
3 W. Fofana
4.56
6 L. Colwill
4.51
21 J. Hato
4.11
27 M. Gusto
4.04
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After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.