HULL MATCH REPORT

Regis Le Bris' side entered the round of 16 of the League Cup after a narrow victory against high-flying Hull City at the Stadium of Light.

A tight affair saw the Black Cats the victors when a quick counter attack found Chemsdine Talbi in behind and with work to do but he brilliantly lobbed the keeper to see Sunderland progress into the next round.

The Lads went into the game on the back of two games unbeaten in the Premier League. Last time out at the Stadium of Light they clinched victory against a struggling Fulham side.

Hull City have seen similar success in the early parts of the season with two wins out of a possible three and remain unbeaten in the league. Last time out in the Carabao Cup, Sergej Jakirovic scraped through in a penalty shoot-out against Stoke City at the Bet 365. Until today, Stokes' goal, in the 39th minute, was the only goal the Tigers had conceded this season. The visitors have not progressed to the third round in the last six years and only progressed past the third round six times in their history.

Until this season, in Le Bris' tenure Sunderland had not progressed further than the second round in the League Cup, losing to Preston North End and to Huddersfield in his previous seasons. The Wearsiders have twice been finalists in the competition and progressed to the fourth round 16 times, however it was 5 years ago since they have progressed past this round.

The Black Cats lined-up without talisman Granit Xhaka with RLB making wholesale changes to the line-up while new signings Jules Ahoka, Dayann Methalie and Malick Fofana were part of the match day squad. Chemsdine Talbi was also in the starting XI despite rumours of him being linked to Saudi Arabia as well as Jocelin Ta Bi who was linked heavily with a move to Burnley on Deadline Day. 

Inside the opening three minutes, Hull City were denied a debatable penalty, when Luke O’Nien clashed with Robinio Vaz but the referee, Paul Tierney, quickly waved away the decision. But it was Sunderland who drew the first save out of either goalkeeper - a cross from Ta Bi was miss hit and almost looped under the bar but Dillion Phillips reacted well to push it over.

The visitors then came close. A quick counter attack from a Sunderland corner set the Tigers in on goal. Melker Ellborg came out to cut out the pass but didn’t get there and the shot from range was wide.

The Black Cats again almost took the lead after 15 minutes, Chemsdine Talbi was fed through behind the defence, his cross from the Byline was deflected and went across the goal. From the corner, Jules Ahoka's header was well saved by the Hull City Goalkeeper.

Talbi provided a brilliant solo run from his own half to almost see Sunderland take the lead just before the interval. He cut inside and tried to curl the ball into the bottom corner but it was saved by the palms of Phillips on goal.

Sunderland started the second half much better and with a lot more enthusiasm than the first. But despite that, Ellborg made his first save of the evening after a curling freekick from Sorba Thomas had to be palmed away from danger on the hour mark. 

The young keeper almost gave away a penalty shortly after, a deflected ball in the box was met by the Hull forward before the keeper and he seemed to punch his back. The referee however awarded a corner.

Sunderland finally took the lead, with 20 minutes to play, through Talbi. Substitute Thomas Meunier, beat the defender to the ball and chipped it into the path of the Moroccan who was in his own half. He headed the ball down before lofting it over Phillips’ head into the bottom corner.

RLB’s side looked a lot better after the goal and almost scored again when Isidor was played through by a brilliant Rigg travela. The striker however blazed his shot wide. Hull should’ve got an equaliser with 10 minutes still to play. Substitute (and former Black Cat) Joe Gelhardt's back post run left him unmarked but his shot from inside the six yard box was blazed over.

FT: 1-0. Sunderland’s next match is at home to Premier League champions Arsenal on Saturday at 17:30, while Hull travel to Stamford Bridge where they face Chelsea.