Alonso: Chelsea must improve defensively after Hull draw

Xabi Alonso acknowledged Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Hull City was a disappointing result but insisted the side will improve as the season progresses.

Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead in the seventh minute at Stamford Bridge, but Mohamed Belloumi struck twice in six first-half minutes to give Hull the lead at the break. Joao Pedro levelled for Chelsea, who pushed for a winner without finding one against a Hull side that had not conceded in the Premier League before the visit to west London.

The result leaves Chelsea with seven points from four Premier League games. Alonso, however, was candid about where his side must improve.

"It's early days for us. It's one month together and in one month, we know the idea, the concepts, the mentality, but it's too early to know it's already built," the Spaniard said. "It will take longer, but we need to learn from everything and from this as well. For sure, I think it will come."

Alonso singled out Chelsea's defensive record as a particular concern. The Blues have conceded at least twice in each of their four Premier League matches this term.

"Overall, I think we are attacking better than we are defending. In every aspect, so we know that it's a big topic and a theme for us," he said. "It's just four games, but the dynamic in terms of conceding, I don't like it and we need to do much better. Open play, set-pieces, long balls, this toughness and competitive sense, we can do better."