Hull have been an inspiring Premier League story so far in this early season period. Another solid defensive display could remarkably see them become the first promoted team to open a Premier League campaign with four straight clean sheets. This is made even more spectacular by the fact that they've allowed 5.0 xG. On the contrary, Chelsea could take some notes. They have conceded seven goals in three league games under Alonso so far, and on a wider scale, haven't kept a Premier League clean sheet in 19 matches. They are, however, the league's top scorers - notching a prolific early-season tally of eight goals. In this time, they've become the first Premier League team ever to score inside five minutes in their first three games.
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Hull make eight changes from their 1-0 midweek cup defeat at Sunderland. It's the same lineup that drew last weekend at home to Aston Villa, with just Matt Crooks starting instead of Lucas Gourna-Douath in midfield. Sorba Thomas, who suffered a car crash yesterday near the training ground, is named among the substitutes, having come away from the accident unscathed. On another lighter note, and just like Chelsea’s Palmer, Oli McBurnie’s involvement sees him make his 100th outing in the Premier League.
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Xabi Alonso has dropped Maxence Lacroix to the bench for the first time this season, with Malo Gusto named in a reshuffled back line. It is one of nine changes from the side that beat Leeds 6-3 in the Carabao Cup in midweek, although Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Reece James all came on when their side were two behind and booed off at half-time. Today, Palmer’s appearance comes as his 100th in the Premier League for Chelsea.
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HULL CITY SUBS: Dillon Phillips, Lucas Herrington, Matt Targett, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Lucas Gourna-Douath, Tim Iroegbunam, Mohamed-Ali Cho, Robinio Vaz, Sorba Thomas.
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HULL CITY (3-4-3): Konstantinos Tzolakis; Semi Ajayi, John Egan, Nobel Mendy; Lewie Coyle, Matt Crooks, Regan Slater, Ryan Giles; Mohamed Belloumi, Oliver McBurnie, Elliot Stroud.
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CHELSEA SUBS: Mike Penders, Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Pep Chavarria, Valentin Barco, Danny Welbeck, Estevao, Geovany Quenda, Jamie Gittens.
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CHELSEA (3-4-3): Emiliano Martinez; Jorrel Hato, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill; Pedro Neto, Reece James, Romeo Lavia; Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers.
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Looking to bounce back in the Premier League after a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal and an enthralling 6-3 victory over Leeds in the Carabao Cup, Chelsea welcome Hull to West London. This early-season battle between fourth and third sees these two teams butt heads in the top flight for the first time since January 2017, when the Blues won 2-0 en route to the title later that term. How times have changed, as a hopeful, Xabi Alonso-led Chelsea long for their former greatness, and Hull find themselves back in the big time after nine years away. It’s been so far so good for Sergej Jakirovic’s Tigers, as prolific ‘maulings’ have seen them pick up head-turning wins over Manchester United and Coventry, as well as a goalless draw with Aston Villa. They’re also the only side remaining in the league yet to concede, yet would have to get over some historic scars to win at the Bridge - something they’ve failed to do in 18 league visits.
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Hello everyone, and welcome to live text coverage from the Premier League! Today, we should have an engaging contest for you, as Chelsea face-off with Hull City at Stamford Bridge!
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The players are out on the turf now, led out by referee Farai Hallam. After the usual fanfare of the 'Liquidator' and the teams' meeting, the chief official meets with the captains, James and Coyle. It looks like the hosts will get us started today, playing from right to left.
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And we're off at Stamford Bridge!
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It's been an even contest so far, although Chelsea are steadily pursuing more time on the ball. Hull are focused on maintaining a solid structure until Belloumi fouls Joao Pedro.
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For Chelsea, comparisons have been made between this clash and the League Cup meeting with Luton at the Bridge. It's slightly different today, as the Tigers will likely show more menace on the counter and sit in less. However, following Arsenal in the calendar, this'll be a nice change for the Blues, getting a lot more of the ball and working on attacking routes to goal.
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August Player of the Month Joao Pedro picks up the assist with the pinpoint pass from right to left across the box to find Rogers. Quality stuff on the fastbreak.
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GOOOOAAAALLLL! 1-0 CHELSEA! ROGERS! The impact man during the week against Leeds has opened the scoring here as Hull concede their first goal of the campaign! A fast counterattack from the Tigers' corner culminates with Joao Pedro finding Rogers on the left of the box. He shifts onto his left and drills the ball low past Tzolakis at his near post!
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First corner of the game now, and it goes the way of Hull, after a twisting Belloumi sees a cross sent behind on the right. The ball is sent in, and after an initial Martinez spill, Chelsea counter.
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With this strike, Rogers has now contributed to six goals in his last five games in the Premier League, scoring four and assisting two.
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Well, how will Jakirovic's Hull react now? It's probably something they were expecting here after three games without conceding, but now they have to really show their nerve against the big boys. Egan does well now to stretch a Malo cross behind.
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As Mendy and Colwill tussle in the box, the right-sided corner doesn't reach them. Instead, it's low to the front post and Pedro Neto who fails to hit the target.
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Another interesting stat as the game takes on a mediocre early spell... Goalscorer Rogers is the fifth different player to score or assist in each of Chelsea's first four games of a Premier League season, after Didier Drogba (2010-11), Cesc Fabregas (2014-15), Diego Costa (2014-15 and 2016-17), and Eden Hazard (2018-19).
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Yellow Card Oliver McBurnie
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McBurnie is the first man in the referee's book this afternoon as he sends a mistimed slide in on Palmer as he jinks in from the wing. We've seen worse, but it's definitely a yellow.
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Pedro Neto chips the central right-sided free-kick into the box, but Tzolakis can let it drift behind.
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Belloumi tries to push a Crooks pass onwards for McBurnie to chase, yet the touch on is misguided, and it goes through to Martinez. Up the other end, Fofana makes up great ground before the men in orange and black get bodies back.
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GOOD CHANCE! Palmer slides Neto in on the right and the Portuguese shapes a shot with his left foot. It's a decent effort that Tzolakis has to parry behind for a corner on the left!
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Neto continues to look lively as Chelsea chase another. Palmer sends the winger in on the right, yet Giles is back to cover and help the ball behind for yet another corner to the Blues.
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NEARLY! The corner comes in from the right, and Hato makes contact, forcing Tzolakis to save! The Greek tries to start a quick counter, and Colwill deliberately steps in front of him with a sly body check! It's a foul and nothing more, it seems.
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Assist Ryan Giles
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Goal Mohamed Belloumi
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After a short stoppage, we're back underway from Tzolakis' free-kick.
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Giles showed great tenacity on the left to chase down Malo and use his body to make just space to cross from the corner.
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GOOOOAAAALLLL! 1-1! BELLOUMI LEVELS THINGS UP FOR HULL! It's a great strike! A long ball isn't dealt with by Malo and Giles crosses high into the box from the left. It bounces over a hopeless Hato, and Belloumi can fizz a low half-volley past Martinez!
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It's bleak defensive reading for Chelsea... Their search for a Premier League clean sheet now stretches to 20 games.
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Hull look confident now and win a free-kick on the left. Belloumi tries to turn provider, yet his cross is captured well by a rising Martinez. They then race back brilliantly to stop a home counter.
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COYLE! Chelsea are all at sea at the back as Belloumi touches on a low, left-sided ball into space. Wing-back Coyle runs onto it and drives a low effort on target. It has to be turned around the post by a combination of Colwill and Martinez!
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Goal Mohamed Belloumi
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Assist Oliver McBurnie
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GOOOOAAAALLLL! 2-1 HULL! THE TIGERS ARE MAULING AGAIN! Ajayi initially rattles the crossbar with a header from a left-sided corner, but it's kept alive and McBurnie sets up Belloumi to power in his second goal of the afternoon!
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McBurnie marks his 100th Premier League appearance with a fine recycling assist! It could be play a huge part in Hull's dream of beating the Blues at Stamford Bridge at what is the 19th attempt.
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Well, we saw this stat earlier, but seeing as it's a double for Belloumi, we'll go for it. The rapidly popular Hull favourite is the second Algerian to score at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, after Man City's Riyad Mahrez in Jan 2023. That's great company to keep.
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Malo fizzes a low pass to Joao Pedro inside the Hull box, but the Brazilian isn't ready for it and stumbles over his own feet!
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A rare misread from Coyle brings a Chelsea corner on the left. James whips it in, and Tzolakis has to punch it out.
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Hull fans are in dreamland right now. They're 2-1 up from behind, at a ground they've never won at, and now, this result has sent them top of the pile.
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Tzolakis sets away pulses racing as his clearance is charged down by Joao Pedro. The Greek just about recovers in time.
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Pedro nearly pounces on a through ball, but Egan can eventually send it back to his keeper coolly.
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A spell of Chelsea pressure continues into two minutes of stoppage time.
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Giles showed great tenacity on the left to chase down Gusto and use his body to make just space to cross from the corner.
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Gusto fizzes a low pass to Joao Pedro inside the Hull box, but the Brazilian isn't ready for it and stumbles over his own feet!
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Chelsea win a corner on the left as Coyle heads behind. James' ball in is punched out by Tzolakis before a Gusto effort is deflected wide for another corner.
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HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 1-2 HULL CITY
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Half-time at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea trail an ecstatic Hull City 2-1. It's been an exciting opening 45 minutes in what could be the table-topping Tigers' first Premier League win away at Chelsea, at the 19th attempt. Even better, they've fought back from behind to grab it, as Morgan Rogers opened the scoring in the seventh minute. His powerful drive into the bottom-left corner arrived as Hull's first goal conceded this season. While it could've been a pile-on from there, the visitors composed themselves well and bounced back well around the half-hour mark. Mohamed Belloumi was excellent, notching a six-minute brace as Sergej Jakirovic's side clawed their way in front. First, he pounced on a looping Ryan Giles cross that Jorrel Hato failed to deal with. Then, after a Lewie Coyle chance, momentum continued as he was set up coolly by PL centurion Oli McBurnie to drive past Emiliano Martinez a second time.
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While their attack has shown a typical sharpness, Chelsea have continued to look intermittently hopeless in defence. Against the momentarily crowned Premier League leaders, the day's favourites have looked disorganised and physically second-best as Hull have stretched the Blues' search for a league clean sheet to 20 games. Truth be told, Alonso's side did well enough to take the lead, with Rogers' composure helping his side to better an eventual 0.17 xG. Hull have looked more imposing in almost all facets, with Belloumi's quick-firing antics pushing the visitors above their 0.57 xG. At the time of writing, the Opta Supercomputer gives Chelsea a 39.7% chance of a comeback, while a draw sits at a 29.7% probability. Hull have a 30.7% chance of keeping their lead intact.
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Substitution Jorrel Hato Pep Chavarría
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Hull get us back into the action.
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As somewhat expected, Alonso looks at his bench at the break. At fault for one of the goals, Hato is off to be replaced by Pep Chavarria.
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A long Hull throw causes chaos in the Chelsea box before Stroud has a go from range and fires over.
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Gusto is found on Chelsea's right and he conjures a measured cross. Mendy has to head behind. Neto sends in the delivery, but Crooks is there to nod away.
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Yellow Card John Egan
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After stifling the initial attack, Egan rushes out to Chavarria and just misjudges things. He wipes the Spaniard out to concede a yellow card.
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Yellow Card Matt Crooks
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James tries to catch Tzolakis off guard with a fizzed free-kick to the near post. However, the Greek stopper is wise to it and scampers across his line to claim it well.
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We have a second Hull yellow in quick succession, as Crooks clatters Rogers with a wild swinging challenge. It's really poorly timed and has given the Blues a free-kick in a decent area.
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JAMES! The Chelsea captain curls a beauty of a free-kick towards the top-left corner, and Tzolakis has to tip it away! He then does well to leap after the resulting corner and claim under pressure.
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Gusto crosses from the right and Chavarria tries to nod back. There are handball claims, but the ball hit Coyle in the chest and went behind. Nice try.
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Chelsea's latest corner is nodded away by Ajayi. A secondary cross comes in for Colwill, but Egan gets it out. Chelsea keep coming and a brave Mendy has to divert a Joao Pedro effort over!
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Mendy has really come off worse here, with the Hull medical team racing onto the pitch to help the crumpled defender after his clash of heads with Pedro.
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A clearly shaken Mendy has to make way now after his nasty collision. On comes Australian teenager Lucas Herrington as his replacement.
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Substitution Elliot Stroud Sorba Thomas
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Substitution Mohamed Belloumi Mohamed-Ali Cho
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The final alteration brings Stroud off for Sorba Thomas, who has done excellently to play today despite his car accident just yesterday.
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The next change for Hull sees brace-grabbing forward Belloumi taken off for Mohamed-Ali Cho.
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HULL CHANCE! Martinez fails to deal with an initial Slater effort! It falls to McBurnie, but he can't steer the rebound past the Argentinian, who reacts smartly with a big left foot!
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Chavarria goes down somewhat hopefully in the Hull area. It's minimal contact, though, and subsequently no penalty.
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McBurnie and Thomas link up well down towards the left byline. The winger puts in a low cross that evades everyone, but then the whistle goes for a marginal offside. An additional note, Mendy's earlier replacement was a concussion substitution.
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Goal João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus
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Assist Cole Palmer
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GOOOOAAAALLLL! 2-2! RELIEF FOR CHELSEA AS JOAO PEDRO RESTORES PARITY! Palmer weaves his way down the left flank and drives a fine low ball into the near post. The Brazilian halts his run and fires over Tzolakis and into the roof of the net! Lovely finish!
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Superb assist from Palmer there. His low ball beats two Hull players and is perfectly measured for Pedro to just direct high above a helpless Tzolakis to make it 2-2.
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Substitution Matt Crooks Tim Iroegbunam
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Substitution Roméo Lavia Valentín Barco
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After conceding, Jakirovic switches the booked Crooks for Tim Iroegbunam.
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Alonso also goes for a change, as Lavia heads off for World Cup darling, Valentin Barco.
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Thomas is the target in the Chelsea box, but the cross is cleared. Giles then sends in another delivery, this time from the left, but it's catching practice for Martinez.
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CLOSE CALL! Gusto surges through the centre and nearly gets a shot off in the Hull box! Alas, Ajayi eats up the ground behind him and then puts him off balance to usher the ball back to Tzolakis! Great defending.
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JAMES! Pedro sets up his captain with a cute pass on the edge of the area, yet the drilled effort through the bodies can't beat Tzolakis, who stops the shot well.
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Substitution Malo Gusto Danny Welbeck
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Following a clattering tackle that leaves him holding the back of his neck, Gusto makes way now for Danny Welbeck.
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Chelsea pressure sees the ball drop kindly in the box. Palmer should do better, but he can only float a shaped, left-footed effort comfortably over.
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Yellow Card Valentín Barco
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An off-balance Barco fouls McBurnie from behind as Chelsea play themselves into trouble. Yellow card.
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Substitution Oliver McBurnie Robinio Vaz
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McBurnie is replaced now by Robinio Vaz, who recently joined on loan from Roma.
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Substitution Lewie Coyle Brooke Norton-Cuffy
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The second of Hull's late double change sees Coyle make way for Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
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CHANCES AT BOTH ENDS! A heavy Barco pass brings a poor touch from Chavarria in the Hull half, and Norton-Cuffy sparks a counter. He has Vaz in the centre but chooses to shoot, only to be blocked. Up the other end, Rogers is played in, but can only fire straight at Tzolakis!
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More late changes now, as Chelsea try to push for the win. Neto heads off for Estevao.
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Substitution Wesley Fofana Maxence Lacroix
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The next switch has Fofana replaced by Maxence Lacroix.
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Yellow Card Tim Iroegbunam
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MASSIVE CHANCE FOR CHO! A left-sided cross comes in and finds Cho at the back post, but the Frenchman can't guide his shot past a sprawling Martinez!
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Iroegbunam goes for a tactical challenge to slow down the late Chelsea momentum and gets a booking for his troubles.
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Iroegbunam goes for a tactical challenge to slow down the threat of late Chelsea momentum and gets a booking for his troubles.
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As we tick past time, it's signalled that we'll see a minimum of six minutes of added time.
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Hull are defending excellently now, with Iroegbunam and then Slater putting vital challenges to stop Palmer and co. from penetrating the area with any real meaning.
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Welbeck and Estevao work well together in confined spaces in the Hull area, yet the latter's snapshot on target is never beating Tzolakis at his crowded near post!
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What? Chavarria looks to mop up a Thomas cross, but takes a DREADFUL touch to concede a late corner on the right.
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The right-sided delivery finds Herrington, but he can't head on target.
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Yellow Card Brooke Norton-Cuffy
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HANDBALL CLAIMS FROM CHELSEA! Estevao crosses from the left of the box, and it hits the hand of Ajayi. However, it looks like it's too close range! No penalty.
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Lineups
Chelsea (3-4-3) coached by Xabi Alonso
Emiliano Martinez, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, Malo Gusto, Roméo Lavia, Reece James, Pedro Neto, Morgan Rogers, João Pedro, Cole Palmer
Hull City (5-4-1) coached by Sergej Jakirović
Konstantinos Tzolakis, Nobel Mendy, John Egan, Semi Ajayi, Ryan Giles, Lewie Coyle, Elliot Stroud, Regan Slater, Matt Crooks, Mohamed Bachir Belloumi, Oliver McBurnie