Hull City claimed a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, climbing to third place in the Premier League table, while Liverpool were frustrated by a struggling Fulham side in a goalless draw at Anfield.
Chelsea, who had been prolific in attack under new manager Xabi Alonso, took an early lead through Morgan Rogers, who found the near post just seven minutes into the match. However, the hosts’ defensive frailties resurfaced almost immediately. Algerian winger Mohamed Belloumi levelled the score with a volleyed finish after defender Jorrel Hato was caught out of position on a cross, before the same player put Hull ahead with a deflected effort following a mishandled corner by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Joao Pedro pulled Chelsea level just after the hour mark, finishing off a cross from Cole Palmer into the top corner, but the Blues could not find a winner despite their attacking threat. Hull, who had kept three consecutive clean sheets before Saturday’s match, had previously been the last side in the Premier League yet to concede a goal this season.
The result means Alonso’s Chelsea have now scored 16 goals and conceded 12 across their last five matches against fellow top-flight opposition underlining a pattern of high-scoring but defensively porous performances since his appointment. For Hull, the point extends what has been a positive return to the Premier League, with only defending champions Arsenal and Manchester City currently placed above them in the standings.
At Anfield, Liverpool were unable to break down a resolute Fulham defence, with the match finishing goalless. Despite fielding an attacking line featuring three players each signed for reported fees around £100 million, Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, Liverpool’s forwards struggled to create clear-cut chances against a Fulham side that had lost its opening three league matches of the season.
Manager Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool side remain unbeaten in the league, but the stalemate was greeted with audible frustration from home supporters at Anfield. For Fulham, the draw represented their first Premier League point of the campaign under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid defender who had reportedly been under pressure following his side’s winless start since arriving in west London.
Fulham arguably had the better opportunities to win the match outright, with striker Gonzalo Garcia missing a clear chance in the first half, while Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker was called upon to make a crucial save to preserve the point for the visitors.
Saturday’s results add further intrigue to an unpredictable start to the Premier League season, with Hull City’s continued strong form keeping them within touching distance of the league’s top two, while Chelsea’s ongoing defensive issues under Alonso remain a talking point despite their attacking firepower. Liverpool’s draw, meanwhile, leaves them unbeaten but with question marks over their finishing despite a forward line assembled at considerable expense.
