Xabi Alonso has called on his Chelsea players to show greater defensive commitment after his side were held to a 2-2 draw by Hull City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Chelsea manager made clear that plugging the leaks at the back will not happen overnight, acknowledging the team still has significant defensive work to do.

Alonso said he wants more "boring" wins — the kind built on clean sheets and defensive solidity rather than high-scoring, back-and-forth affairs — as Chelsea search for greater consistency.

The dropped points at home against Hull City underline the defensive fragility that has troubled the Stamford Bridge side this season, and Alonso was direct in his assessment that desire and discipline at the back must improve.

The Chelsea head coach sounded a note of patience, warning supporters that resolving the team's defensive issues will require time, but he left no doubt that tightening up at the back remains his primary concern going forward.