Goals from ex-Blue Alex Bruce, Chuba Akpom and David Meyler saw Hull City to a comfortable victory over Town at the KC Stadium. Sub Bruce headed the opener in the 36th minute, Akpom made it 2-0 seven minutes later and Meyler vollyed home a brilliant third on 58.

Town boss Mick McCarthy made five changes to the team which drew 0-0 with Huddersfield on Saturday with Giles Coke handed his first league start alongside Jonny Parr, Kevin Bru, Larsen Touré and Daryl Murphy.

Cole Skuse (ankle) and David McGoldrick (groin) both missed out due to injury with Freddie Sears, Brett Pitman and Ainsley Maitland-Niles dropping to the bench.

Ryan Fraser (knee), Tommy Oar (concussion), Luke Hyam (knee) and Teddy Bishop (hamstring and shin splints) were also unavailable.

The Blues lined-up in a 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation with Murphy in the centre of the front three with Parr on the left and Touré on the right, and Coke, Douglas and Bru the midfield trio.

Former Town loanee Jake Livermore started in midfield for the Tigers, while ex-Blues defender Bruce and one-time trialist Eldin Jakupović were on the bench.

The Blues started on the front foot and first Douglas, playing the Skuse role behind Bru and Coke, and then Touré won freekicks in dangerous areas but Town were unable to create an opening from either.

The visitors continued to look the more dangerous side and on nine Coke saw a strike from the edge of the area blocked by Moses Odubajo after a corner had been cleared to him. The home side immediately broke but Andy Robertson shot high and wide.

In the 12th minute Ahmed Elmohamady crossed for Abel Hernandez, who headed into the ground straight at Blues keeper Dean Gerken.

But the Blues were still having most of the ball and the game was largely being played in the Hull half of the field.

Just before the quarter hour, with the Blues enjoying long spells on the ball, Murphy’s backheel found skipper Luke Chambers on the right of the area and his powerful strike was deflected into the side-netting.

The home fans were starting to show their frustration with their team when Touré was given the space to shoot a minute later, the Guinean international’s effort hitting a Tigers defender.

Moments later Hull were forced into a substitution when defender Curtis Davies was replaced by ex-Blue Bruce.

Gerken was off his line quickly to clear from Hernandez in the 19th minute after the Uruguayan striker had been played in by Robertson.

In the 25th minute sub Bruce picked up the game’s first yellow card for an ugly challenge on Bru 30 yards out from goal. Full league debutant Coke took the kick and curled a shot just wide of Hull keeper Allan McGregor’s left post.

There was a scare for the Blues just before the half hour when Elmohamady out-ran Jonas Knudsen and cut the ball back to Sam Clucas in space but the ex-Chesterfield man scuffed what was a very good chance wide.

Two minutes later, Coke got his name in referee Christopher Kavanagh’s book for a foul on Meyler.

The home side were beginning to quieten the Blues down and get on top and in the 34th minute Elmohamady sent over another dangerous cross from the right but Hernandez again headed weakly to Gerken.

In the 36th minute the Tigers went in front. Parr and Tommy Smith scrambled the ball away from Bruce after Clucas’s corner from the left had fallen for the defender in the box. But the danger wasn’t gone and Clucas subsequently sent over a deep cross from the byline to the far post and Bruce looped a header over Gerken, under the bar and into the net.

Murphy looked to hit back straight away, turning his man and smashing a powerful 30-yard shot, but straight at McGregor.

On 40 Tigers skipper Michael Dawson was booked for pulling back Parr midway inside his own half. From the freekick, Christophe Berra scuffed a header wide.

Two minutes later, Meyler volleyed not far over from the edge of the box, but a second Hull goal wasn’t too long in coming.

Parr lost possession, Odubajo broke down the left and sent over a low cross towards Akpom, who slammed home from close range.

Neither side threatened again before referee Kavanagh blew his whistle to signal the end of the half.

Town will have been happy enough with their evening’s work up to the final 10 minutes of the period having taken the game to the home side and enjoying a large amount of the ball.

However, they had created little in the way of clear-cut chances with Hull keeper McGregor not forced to make any significant saves.

For the goals, the Blues made heavy weather of clearing the initial danger then allowed Bruce to win the ball when it was sent back in, while the second came after possession was surrendered in a dangerous area.

With Town having a mountain to climb in the second half, McCarthy swapped Parr and Coke for Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Freddie Sears and moved to 4-4-2.

Four minutes after the break, the Blues were caught cold as Hull took a quick freekick on the right, Elmohamady sending over a cross which Gerken pawed from under his bar.

But Town were also making some early headway and shortly after Bru had felt he’d been fouled not far outside the box, Sears scraped a 25-yard shot wide.

On 52 Elmohamady broke away down the right having been sent away by Hernandez but Berra got across to block his shot.

Five minutes later, Akpom cuts inside from the right and shot just over, then Elmohamady volleyed over with the Tigers by now well on top.

And the home fans didn’t have to wait too much longer for their side’s third goal. Clucas’s cross from the left was deflected into the air to the edge of the box and Meyler took the ball on his chest and volleyed past Gerken.

Brett Pitman replaced Touré in the 72nd minute with the home side well in control and a Town comeback looking hugely unlikely.

Maitland-Niles squandered a rare Town opportunity as the game moved into its final 10 minutes, the lively Sears’s cross from the right deflecting to the on-loan Arsenal man, who shanked his shot at 90 degrees to the target.

With five minutes remaining Maitland-Niles was fouled by Meyler 25 yards out to the left of goal and Pitman forced McGregor into his first serious save of the evening down to his left, Clucas turning the loose ball behind. Following the corner, Douglas shot over from the edge of the box, the Blues’ final effort of another disappointing evening.

Town’s poor run of form continues with McCarthy’s men now without a win in five league games, having won just once in their last eight in the Championship. They have dropped to 11th in the table and are now without a goal in three games.

After enjoying a decent first half hour, albeit without creating much in front of goal, the Blues never recovered from Hull’s two quick goals shortly before half-time and in the end were well beaten.

Any hope of a second-half comeback was ended by Meyler’s excellent third and the Tigers comfortably saw out the remainder of the game.

Town’s early season dreams of an automatic promotion challenge currently seem a long, long way away with another tough trip to Nottingham Forest - where they are without a win since December 1999 - on Saturday.

Hull City: McGregor, Odubajo, Dawson (c) (Maguire 80), Davies (Bruce 18), Robertson, Meyler, Livermore, Elmohamady, Clucas, Akpom, Hernandez (Aluko 68). Unused: Jakupović, Huddlestone, Maloney, Diamé.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Coke (Maitland-Niles 46), Bru, Douglas, Touré (Pitman 72), Parr (Sears 46), Murphy. Unused: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, McDonnell, Emmanuel. Referee: Christopher Kavanagh (Lancashire). Att: 15,942 (Town: 456).

Photo: Action Images

blueherts added 08:31 - Oct 21 I have been supporter of MM but as some of said here this defensive 'rot' set in at start of the year - we started shipping goals after christmas and it was our Aug -Dec form and Murphs goals that got us up there The first game against Brentford summed it up - Bright breezy start , looked good going forward , Bru in the middle .. 2-0 up then two dreadful goals conceded and despite a couple of decent wins we have regressed to a defensive mess with no midfield spark and what has happened to our top strikers goodness knows - Bring back Clarke from Pompey and play Alabi - got to be a better bet at the moment And I will not even start on about Chambers I think Parr needs to tak Knudsen place as he looks abit lost at the moment - but in that defence I cant blame him

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rachelsdad added 09:03 - Oct 21 result expected unfortunately as we have struggled to beat average/poor sides at home recently. we have one of the worst defensive records in the league yet we still persist with the same back line and still persist with Gerkin flapping in goal. come on mick sort it out, it is going to be a long hard season.
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Cloddyseedbed added 09:08 - Oct 21 What is even more worrying than the present form and results is the list of squad players to get us out of this poor run of form. What the hell are we doing paying the likes of Coke,Tabb,Hyham,Henshall,Connolly and Toure to be part of the club. Are they better than the 1st choice or even as good, no! How can we have such a huge squad made up of such mediocre players that when you need to make changes they weaken the team or just basically not good enough and we are still paying them. For god sake get rid of at least 10 of the players that are just not and never will be good enough for ITFC and get 2 or 3 quality players in. We are going now where with this squad of players and the playing technique.

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babyblueboy added 09:13 - Oct 21 Not good enough long trip to see no real fight or effort too many has bens and loanees/free transfers if things don't change we are in for a long hard S*** season on this form with this squad promotion is a joke, relegation is a real possibility we appear to have lost the will if Mr Evans does not free up the cash in January I like many other loyal long tern blues followers will say why should we spend hard earned cash if the club will not spend money to give us a chance "TIRED, PI**ED OFF, FED UP ,BORED WITH THE DROSS !!" give us our club back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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dirtydingusmagee added 09:29 - Oct 21 i m not proud to admit it but i was going to predict 3-0 ,but i havnt had my PC working for three days and didnt get it on ,it just seemed certain defeat to me the way things have been going past few weeks.I cant believe how bad things have become after getting the season off to a flyer.Very disappointing .I have to admittoo, that as a believer in M M ,even i am having first sign of doubts about him now ,

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clint_eastwood added 09:44 - Oct 21 Friggin hell! Just can't buy a win these daze!
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itfc_steve added 10:17 - Oct 21 Time to go MM! Since you have taken over this club has done nothing but move backwards! Team selection is shocking, even I can see that Alabi should be starting.
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Lightningboy added 10:43 - Oct 21 McCarthy's teams have always been about hard work,keeping clean sheets,winning 1-0,solid but boring football..we all knew that when he came in and let's be honest we would've taken that following Jewell and Keane's shambles BUT when we're not doing any of the above then McCarthy's brand of football is totally unacceptable at our club. To be fair he has had a lot of niggling injuries and the 2 international breaks have been a right pain in the 4rse But then again he doesn't help matters by continually sticking with the wrong players in the wrong positions and playing favourites..if he won't change things then maybe it's time ME changes things?..personally i'd give him until Xmas to sort it out.

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warktheline added 11:21 - Oct 21 This season to date.... there is no doubt McCarthy is 'underachieving ' with the squad of players he has at his disposal. If he doesn't turn it around very quickly things are going to get extremely tough. When he arrived he went about the job vigorously, got rid of the deadwood and introduced players hungry to prove themselves and earn contracts. Players were kept on their toes, and he would shake things up if we lost 2 games in succession , compare that to the manager's methods at present, or should I say over the last 10 months or so. The continuous favourites played week in week out, many of whom have become very comfortable at Portman Rd. Empty threats to change selection, players fully aware of this, as mentioned recently in articles by players referring to Mick's 'loyalty ' towards them! In all walks of life sometimes we need to check ourselves and return to the start. McCarthy when you walk into work today take a little advice, walk in as if it's your first day at Ipswich , and go forward accordingly!

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Lightningboy added 11:29 - Oct 21 Spot on warktheline. Not sure whether Mick's being stubborn or just plain thick though.
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tractorboybig added 11:42 - Oct 21 In yorkshire they have always called him mad mick, now you see why. O and us whingers of the past are proving right, you are getting what you desrve.
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bohslegend added 11:58 - Oct 21 I have been consistent in my support for MM, and I certainly won't be calling for his head. I don't think our club is any different to any other club in this regard but the truth of the matter is that football managers (in general) get too little credit when things go right and too much blame when things go wrong. But all of that said, I completely understand the (genuine) frustration of many fans who can clearly see things going badly. And rightly so we need things to change soon for the better. The personality politics of some on here have been deplorable though, through good times (and there have been many - right up to our playoff position finish last year) and bad is not real support. It's just constant criticism and does nothing to encourage the team or the manager on the playing field. I would personally like to see Bart back in goal, Chambo playing at CB and Didzy on the pitch on a more regular basis. But ultimately, I'll support our boys whoever the manager picks. It's his job to pick the team and mine to support it. He gets it wrong sometimes, but so do fans, including all the constant critics, the difference is that the constant critics don't have to stand over their opinions in public like the manager does. So for the time being anyway, I truly believe MM will turn the team around and get us back to winning ways. Unfortunately though if things continue to slide there will be pressure on him and the critics (as is always the case) will eventually be proven right in the end.

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brazilblue added 12:26 - Oct 21 Is there some sort of contagious amnesia going around??? Remember what mick inherited and how far we have come and support the bloody team and management.
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tallguy6767 added 12:45 - Oct 21 Brazilblue. Your a mug !!!!!!
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rinkydinkpanther added 12:49 - Oct 21 No amnesia mate. I certainly recall Mick taking us from the bottom, up the table a bit, we then saw the unbelievable impact for one season that a striker peaking and scoring almost 30 goals can have (raising expectations unrealisticially), and now Mick's taking us back down again, with a whimper. I also remember the defence being at its best last season with Chambers as a central defender (his actual position). Plus I remember getting tanked at Leicester and Palace in 2011/2012 and getting similarly tanked at Reading in September 2015. Yes, how far we've come indeed! Mick, like Murphy, peaked with his dubious brand of defensive, fearful football, but is now in sharp decline. I don't think he can do a lot to stop it now. We either decline with him or say thanks but no thanks. Magilton, Keane, Jewell, McCarthy; Portman Road - the graveyard of managers.

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1RWR added 13:13 - Oct 21 Just seen the "highlights" (were there any?) Goal 1: Gerks fault, sorry ol'pal you either come out to get/punch or stay on your line not half way! Goal 2: Smith's fault, didn't stick with the guy who scored, basic error lead to basic tap in. Goal 3: Not sure if anyone was to blame really, great strike but no-one was there to clear. Verdict? Lord knows, shake up the defence possibly? Just my two'pennyworth for what it means.

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JimmyP45 added 13:22 - Oct 21 Bart Parr Chambers Berra Knudsen Skuse Bru AMN McGoldrick Sears Murphy Would prefer Fraser for AMN and Bishop for Bru but lets just stick with who is fit.
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warktheline added 13:23 - Oct 21 @bohslegend, very good constructed post, that doesn't mean all will agree with it, but I can certainly see your perspective. McCarthy has never been a glove-hand relationship to our club, and many are fully entitled to reject his approach to 90 mins of football on a Saturday . This rejection has been ever present under his tenure, and of course this intensifies when results curtail. Added to this cocktail is McCarthy's 'blindness ' to continued failed team selections! I've backed McCarthy fearlessly, but of late have retracted my support due to the man's pure ignorance of his failings, sadly everybody has a sell by date, much brought upon oneself, my appreciation will always go out to the Yorkshireman for his commitment to the cause, but for me, he has now lost the plot, due to the fact that,just maybe he has been resting on his laurels, probably unconsciously, for a tad too long!

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Bob7881 added 13:27 - Oct 21 Last season was a fluke all down to one season wonder Murphy. This season is turning out to be where we really are mid table at best thats what you get when you sign cast offs and has beens. Thank you MM for bringing some sort of stability to the club but do the decent thing and walk win lose or draw I hate your style of football.
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bohslegend added 13:33 - Oct 21 I respect your opinion too warktheline - fact is you haven't been slating him since day one. But I'm choosing to put the current slump in my own perspective and I think that once we get some of the injured players back we'll pick up again. I genuinely do not see any other manager out there (realistic appointment I should add) who will come in and do a better job with the resources we have. I would like to hear some of the staunch critics back up their calls for his head with a realistic alternative.

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Keaneish added 13:43 - Oct 21 Its time for simple rationale decisions and that means dropping last season's best two performers in Berra and Murphy and while Fraser is out we play 4-3-3 with our most dangerous players guaranteed a start each week who are McGoldrick and Sears. We are depleted in midfield at the moment so i'm not bemoaning Douglas a start alongside Skuse and Bru but there's no way he's getting in week in week out when Bishop or Hyam are back. And rather than shooting players confidence like Parr, play him in his natural spot with Chambers at the centre. I'm not bemoaning the keepers too much. Neither are great but we can cope. Niles, Oar and Toure from the bench all offer something. It really is this simple isn't it and it's a system Mick has employed before so what the hell is going on!?

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Surco72 added 13:54 - Oct 21 Get Tony Mowbray in
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PJH added 14:08 - Oct 21 Good idea Surco72,but instead of Smith or Berra?
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Cakeman added 14:12 - Oct 21 It has been said by others but I share the concern that we have absolutely nothing in reserve to pull us out of this slide in form. The speed of our decline is staggering so it is now a combination of lack of confidence and limited ability. I think we shall have no option other than to bumble on picking up what points we can until the January transfer window opens and then hope Mr Evans really opens his pound notes section of his wallet instead of the loose change part. If it is a case of Mick not wanting to invest heavily then we are in trouble. PS I mentioned it a couple of weeks ago and my opinion has not changed and that is we should get Yowerth and Ckarke back and play both because they just might shore things up.

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Geoff added 14:12 - Oct 21 Gary Rowett doing a great job at Birmingham someone will tell what kind of budget he is on ? or who is backing them.Our owner must take the blame he should put up or shut up if he no longer is interested then sell up.We are paying top wack for tickets but for a few of them they would not get in a league one side,when you see the quality at Hull and other clubs who are trying to get out of this league we can no longer compete with the better in this division as they have all invested while we have stood still.The writing was on the wall in January when we failed to sign anyone that cost us promotion.The old saying "If you pay peanuts you get monkeys" comes to mind

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