Chelsea rescued a 2-2 draw against Hull City at Stamford Bridge, but another defensive lapse helped to cost Xabi Alonso’s side.

Morgan Rogers gave the Blues the ideal start after seven minutes.

He broke Hull’s run of three consecutive Premier League clean sheets, and Chelsea appeared in control, yet the match changed completely during a six-minute spell.

Mohamed Belloumi equalised in the 28th minute after a long ball was kept alive by Ryan Giles.

Jorrel Hato failed to deal with the delivery as it dropped inside the area, allowing the Hull winger to hammer his finish past Emiliano Martínez.

The visitors struck again in the 34th minute, with Semi Ajayi’s header hitting the woodwork before Oli McBurnie helped the loose ball towards Belloumi, whose shot took a touch off Levi Colwill on its way into the net.

Hull went into half-time with a shock 2-1 lead, while Hato was replaced by Pep Chavarria before the restart.

Chelsea applied heavier pressure in the second half, but they were nearly caught again. Martinez initially spilled Regan Slater’s effort and then reacted quickly to block McBurnie’s attempt with his leg.

That escape proved important, with Cole Palmer creating Chelsea’s equaliser in the 66th minute, reaching the byline before driving a low pass into Joao Pedro, who adjusted his feet and sent a powerful finish into the roof of the net.

The hosts chased a winner, with Konstantinos Tzolakis denying Reece James and Palmer lifting another opening over the bar. However, Hull stood firm and earned a deserved point.

Chelsea finished with 68 per cent possession and six shots on target, but a plucky Hull side also attempted 10 shots themselves.

The major talking point surrounded Hato and his role in Belloumi’s first goal.

Paul Merson slams Jorrel Hato after 'terrible' Chelsea defending

Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, former Arsenal star Paul Merson branded it “terrible, terrible defending” from the Chelsea youngster.

Presenter Simon Thomas was equally unimpressed and called the mistake “dreadful” as the panel watched Belloumi punish the hesitation.

Hato had time to attack or clear the dropping ball, but instead allowed it to travel over him. Once it bounced, Belloumi needed no invitation and Chelsea were suddenly level.

Merson and Thomas then joked that the Algerian could have eaten some halloumi before scoring, a line which summed up how much time Chelsea appeared to give him.

However, Alonso will find nothing funny about the goal.

His team carried plenty of danger going forward again, only to undo their good work through another basic mistake at the other end.

Hato did not emerge for the second half, which will increase the attention on a difficult afternoon for the defender.

Chelsea showed character to recover and avoid defeat, but this was still two points dropped at home. If Alonso wants his side to challenge near the top, errors as simple as the one for Belloumi’s opener must quickly disappear in the weeks ahead.