Chelsea were poor as a collective defensively, but Hato's poor defending arguably allowed Hull back in the game.
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Xabi Alonso has explained the decision to substitute Jorrel Hato out early after his disappointing first-half display in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hull City.
Chelsea salvaged a point after Mohamed Belloumi's brace put Hull ahead at half-time, despite an early lead from Morgan Rogers.
The reliable Joao Pedro levelled the score again in the second half with a strike into the roof of the net. But Chelsea were unable to find a late winner, despite Danny Welbeck and Estevao coming on as substitutes to add firepower up front.
That said, the Blues would not have had to throw more bodies in attack in desperation if they had not been so leaky in defence. Hull’s first goal likely hurt the most for Chelsea, since it had more to do with their own lapses of concentration than the opposition’s great play.
Alonso even described the defending for the equaliser as “soft”.
“We need to be aware that from any situation, any team in the Premier League can hurt you,” the Chelsea manager emphasised post-match.
“Today it was from a long ball, two bounces, the way it happened. You need to be very aware, very ready, that the danger can come from any situation.
“If you are soft or if you are not prepared, you will get punished, and we have been punished that way.”
Chelsea punished for poor defence, again
The build-up to the goal started with a Hull goal kick that was not properly cleared. Ryan Giles did really well to somehow produce a cross from it, partly due to Malo Gusto’s slow reaction.
However, it was Jorrel Hato’s poor reading of the trajectory of the ball that allowed Belloumi an opportunity to score, which he did not miss.
Hato was pulled out at half-time after this howler and replaced by Pep Chavarria.
Alonso admitted it was not because of any injuries, but still insisted that the decision was not particularly due to the 20-year-old’s poor display.
“Tactical,” the Spaniard responded when asked the reason for Hato’s substitution.
“We wanted a player with another profile; with Pep and Jorrel, it's different, and that was the decision.”
Gusto also had a rough afternoon at Stamford Bridge, although he stayed longer on the pitch than Hato, being replaced by Danny Welbeck in the 78th minute.
Alonso repeatedly said “we can do better” when speaking about the team’s poor defensive record, having conceded nine goals from four Premier League matches, so it is obvious that he knows this is something he will have to address sooner rather than later.
Chelsea still sit fourth in the Premier League table with this result, two points behind Manchester City and Arsenal, who will play their games later against Sunderland and Manchester United on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
The Blues will be back in action next Friday with a short trip to Brentford, before heading into the international break.