Mohamed Belloumi brace earns Hull City point in 2-2 draw at Chelsea

Chelsea opened the scoring in the 7th minute through Morgan Rogers, who converted a fast-break opportunity with his left foot following an assist from João Pedro. Despite Chelsea’s dominance in possession, which reached 68% over the full 90 minutes, the hosts struggled to convert their territorial advantage into a sustained lead. Chelsea deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to control the tempo through the middle, while Hull City utilized a 3-4-3 shape to maintain defensive structure and launch rapid transitions.

Mohamed Belloumi proved the decisive figure for the visitors, leveling the score in the 28th minute with a left-footed finish from a regular play situation. He struck again just six minutes later, capitalizing on a corner kick delivery from Oli McBurnie to put Hull City ahead. By halftime, Hull City had generated 0.50 xG compared to Chelsea’s 0.17, reflecting the visitors' clinical edge in the final third. Hull’s ability to bypass the Chelsea press was evident, as they managed 13 shots compared to Chelsea’s 12, despite having significantly less of the ball.

Chelsea returned from the break with increased urgency, pinning Hull City back into their own half. The pressure eventually told in the 66th minute when João Pedro found the net with his left foot, assisted by Cole Palmer. The goal brought the score to 2-2, but Chelsea could not find a winner despite recording 36 touches in the opposition box throughout the match. The home side’s passing was precise, completing 479 passes at an 87% accuracy rate, yet they often found the final ball lacking against a compact Hull defensive line.

While Chelsea dominated the ball, their 0.89 xG total highlighted a struggle to create high-quality chances against a resilient Hull defense. Hull City finished the match with 1.49 xG and four big chances, proving more dangerous in their limited attacking phases. The visitors were forced to defend deep for long stretches, but their efficiency in the final third ensured they left Stamford Bridge with a point. The draw leaves both sides sharing the spoils after a contest defined by Belloumi’s individual efficiency and Chelsea’s inability to capitalize on their territorial dominance.

The match was a study in contrasting styles. Chelsea’s 4-2-3-1 setup allowed them to rack up 298 passes in the opposition half, but they were frequently frustrated by Hull’s 3-4-3, which prioritized space management over possession. Belloumi’s two goals came from just 0.24 xG, underscoring his clinical performance compared to the broader team metrics. Chelsea’s reliance on João Pedro and Cole Palmer to break down the low block was clear, yet the visitors' ability to win 38 duels and maintain a threat from set pieces kept the hosts on edge until the final whistle. The result leaves Chelsea reflecting on a match where they controlled the rhythm but failed to secure the win.