Sunderland scarified the lead twice in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the KCOM Stadium as the winless run in League One extended to four games.
The lads took the lead through a Jordan Jones strike but were pegged back by a Josh Magennis strike and Grant Leadbitter’s penalty before the break gave Sunderland the lead again. Hull bounced back in the second half with another goal from Magennis to share the spoils.
Lee Johnson made two changes to the team that lost to Blackpool with Carl Winchester and Lynden Gooch in for Aiden O’Brien and the injured Aiden McGeady.
With Hull on the verge of promotion, Sunderland had the chance to delay their plans and build some form going into the playoffs.
The hosts almost scored within two minutes, Sunderland sloppily gave the ball away and Malik Wilks charged forward and tested Lee Burge, but the stopper did well to parry the effort wide.
Despite giving an early chance away, Sunderland had started with energy and intent in looking to get the opening goal.
Sunderland almost made the pressure count nine minutes in, Gooch did brilliantly to beat his man and chipped in a lovely ball to Jones who hit the bar.
Only minutes later the two combined again, Gooch did tremendously well to win the ball back high up the pitch and whipped in a fine delivery to Jones who dispatched a fine volley into the bottom corner.
Hull hadn’t really got going but almost scored a terrific Keane Lewis-Potter free kick that was brilliantly tipped behind by Burge. The following corner was flicked on to Wilks who missed a sitter from a yard out, with the goal gaping he couldn’t get any contact on the shot.
Just before the half-hour mark, Hull equalised, Wilks was involved again and beat Callum McFadzean easily and whipped in a ball to Josh Magennis free in the box who headed home.
Sunderland responded perfectly as Callum Eder was adjudged to have handled in the area; Grant Leadbitter stepped up and sent Matt Ingram the wrong way as he calmly slotted it in the penalty.
It was a frenetic first half with Hull having some great chances, but Sunderland had been in control for large periods.
Hull’s top scorer Wilks was having a good game down the right-hand side and received the ball from Magennis in a great position but his effort from range was well saved by Burge.
The home side had started the second half the better side and were targeting McFadzean every time and to get Wilks attacking the left back.
Sunderland were standing firm to deny Hull, but the home side were putting the pressure on. From a Hull corner, the ball dropped to Magennis who looked nailed on to score but was denied by a goal saving block from Josh Scowen.
Hulls pressure was to much for Johnson’s men and it was Wilks again causing chaos and he found Magennis who had the run on Bailey Wright and planted his header past Burge.
Sunderland were playing on the break and Jones laid a ball back to Gooch to try his luck, but he just dragged his effort wide.
In the latter stages of the game, Sunderland were dominating possession, but struggling to create a chance and get the winner.
In injury time Sunderland had a great chance to win it, Gooch’s ball in was headed by Aiden O’Brien but Ingram made a great save. From the corner, O’Brien got even closer as his header hit the bar.
Full Time: Hull City 2-2 Sunderland
ALS Man of the Match: Lynden Gooch
Sunderland: Burge; Power, Wright, O'Nien, McFadzean (Hume 76’); Scowen, Leadbitter (O’Brien 72’), Winchester (Diamond 72); Jones (Maguire 81’), Wyke, Gooch
Subs Not Used: Patterson, Younger & Stewart
