If the Premier League was decided by who had the ugliest manager, or the one who would look most at home on the set of ‘Lord of the Rings’; Hull would undoubtedly be champions. Unfortunately, it’s decided on football, and they’re rubbish. So they’re going to get relegated. Nevertheless, the sun was shining at the KC stadium, leaving Phil Brown ample opportunity to mow his lawn whilst we looked to grind out our first away win since the opening day of the season.

As expected, Sunderland trio Mensah, Reid and Cattermole missed out through injury, but perhaps surprisingly Bruce brought Matt Killgallon out of the wilderness to replace Mensah, as opposed to Anton Ferdinand. The front six were unchanged, with Captain Rambo having to settle for a place on the bench. Hull’s starting eleven was pretty much as expected, with former Sunderland man Kevin Kilbane failing to make the team. Talisman Stephen Hunt was still missing, but skipper Jimmy Bullard was fit and raring to go.

As is almost our trademark these days, we came flying out of the traps. Malbranque and Henderson combined twice to create an opening for the other in the first five minutes, but both fluffed their attempts from in around the six yard box. Malbranque, in particular, looked in the mood as he danced his way down the left wing time and time again. We didn’t have to wait long for the goal mind you, with seven minutes on the clock Alan Hutton was put under no pressure whatsoever, launching a ball to the back stick. Kenwyne climbed highest, nodding the ball across the face of goal, where Darren Bent ran on to tap in his 25 th goal of the season. Were you watching Capello?

To be fair to Hull they fought back well, and whilst our pace and creativity still looked superior, they did force a couple of saves. Soon after the goal Gordon recovered well from inexplicably dropping a cross in the box, just managing to collect at the foot of Altidore. Henderson and Malbranque continued to threaten, but it was Hull who came closest to the second of the game. A Bullard corner was hammered at goal by Anthony Gardner, slamming into the midriff of a completely unmoved Craig Gordon. Not flash, but when your lucks in...

Gordon did well to save from Folan on thirty five, who had broken clear despite a brilliant challenge from Hutton, but a break in play ensued as Folan took treatment from said challenge. Then it all kicked off. A ball was launched into our box, where Altidore fought for the ball with Hutton, and appeared to bring our man down. No foul given, and he was able to slide the ball to the onrushing Geovanni, who flew over Turner’s outstretched leg. Penalty. Dubious. Very Dubious. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Gordon save a penalty, and that didn’t change today, but thankfully Bullard’s effort slammed into the post and flew clear. Justice, perhaps?

Then, probably the most contentious moment of the game: Hutton and Altidore clashed on the touchline over a throw in decision, with the right back slightly cheekily throwing the ball at him. Altidore’s response was to walk up and headbutt him. Straight red. Then, after a bit of a melee from all on the pitch, Hutton was for some reason unknown to fans in every corner of the world, sent off. The half time whistle was blown, both sides down to ten men.

We responded unsurprisingly by sacrificing Steed at half time, bringing on Bardsley to slide into the right back berth. Curiously, captain for the day Michael Turner was also replaced by Anton Ferdinand, having earlier received an excellent reception from his former fan club at the KC. Not to be outdone, though, the magnificent maverick that is Ian Dowie decided to sacrifice their best player, Jimmy Bullard, in favour of David Cairney.

The loss of Malbranque and Bullard, did, in truth, kill the game. We looked happy to soak up any pressure, but Hull didn’t seem capable of applying any. They looked about as threatening as a four year old armed only with a wooden spoon. The first shot of the half came on the hour mark, with Geovanni slamming a free kick straight into the wall. The enigmatic Brazilian was then booked just minutes later for a theatrical tumble. Remember when he used to be good?

Unhappy with the balance of the side, Bruce took off Jones, bringing Cana onto the pitch. The idea seemed to be a four- four -two when we had the ball, with Campbell joining Bent up front. When we didn’t, he dropped back onto the right wing, with Henderson moving back into the middle; A good move which yielded three decent openings in the next fifteen minutes. Cana drove forward to strike from twenty five yards, Duke doing well to tip round the corner. Henderson slid through Ricco soon after, who left the gangly Mouyokolo for dead. With Campbell and Bent moving towards the near post, Richardson slammed a disappointing cross to deep and was quickly cleared. Campbell did well to hold the ball up on the edge of the area moments later, before sliding in David Meyler, who took it on his weaker foot and smashed high and wide. Hull forced only one shot amongst this, a deflected effort from the edge of the area didn’t really pose much of a threat, but Gordon still had to smartly palm away from danger.

Dowie’s final throw of the dice was to haul off George Boateng for Mark Culllen, which didn’t exactly inspire the distraught Hull support. It didn’t inspire the team either, as the game meandered to its conclusion. Few opportunities were created; all too often the tigers simply lumped into the box, where Killgallon in particular swept up impressively and with minimal fuss. It was a gritty if not spectacular win for the lads, but we showed the steel that has been missing in most of our away performances. Hull looked bereft of well, everything really, and probably deserve the drop on this showing. Finally, a good day for our travelling support.

Final Score: 1-0

Man Of the Match: Jordan Henderson – never, ever stopped.

Philip Smith

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