{
  "id": 6991214,
  "title": "EPL: Alonso calls for Chelsea to defend better",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/epl-alonso-calls-for-chelsea-to-defend-better-6991214",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T21:08:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/epl-alonso-calls-for-chelsea-to-defend-better/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has called for his team to improve defensively following Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Hull in the Premier League. Since their opening match, Chelsea has conceded at least two goals in each of their first four league games, and they have now gone 20 games without keeping a clean sheet. The Blues took a lead through Morgan Rogers but Hull equalized twice, with Joao Pedro and Mohamed Belloumi scoring. Alonso admitted that his side's defense was not up to standard and expressed disappointment with the result. He criticized his players for not being able to compete and conceded easily for Hull to come back. Former defender Ashley Williams pointed out that Chelsea is particularly vulnerable when possession changes hands, saying they are \"wide open\" when they lose the ball. Alonso defended his decision to use a back four against Hull but acknowledged that the team has a major imbalance between defense and attack.",
  "summary": "Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has urged his side to become more solid defensively after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Hull in the Premier League. The result means Chelsea have conceded two or more goals in each of their opening four league matches, while they have now gone 20 league games without keeping Read More: https://punchng.com/epl-alonso-calls-for-chelsea-to-defend-better/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "EPL: Alonso calls for Chelsea to defend better",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/epl-alonso-calls-for-chelsea-to-defend-better",
        "published": "2026-09-12T21:06:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}