Kamil Grosicki’s 14th minute goal has given Hull City a 1-0 half-time lead over the Blues at Portman Road with Town having had the ball cleared off the line twice.

The Blues were without Matthew Pennington, who we understand has suffered a season-ending ankle injury, and Teddy Bishop, while Collin Quaner dropped to the bench.

Pennington, who has been on loan for the season from Everton, was replaced at the centre of the defence by Toto Nsiala, while Cole Skuse returned alongside Jon Nolan and Trevoh Chalobah for Bishop in midfield. Up front, Kayden Jackson started.

Hull made four changes with Todd Kane, Eric Lichaj, Jordy de Wijs and Dan Batty coming into the side.

Town made the early running, winning a number of corners in the opening minutes but without seriously testing Tigers goalkeeper and skipper David Marshall.

Hull threatened for the first time on 10, when Blues skipper Luke Chambers diverted a header from a Kamil Grosicki freekick wide.

Soon after, Jackson Irvine’s shot from the edge of the box looped goalwards under the bar but was confidently claimed by Bartosz Bialkowski.

However, in the 14th minute the Tigers went ahead. A low ball in from the right was cleverly dummied by Marc Pugh and found its way to Fraizer Campbell, who fed Grosicki to his left and the Polish international struck a low shot which Nsiala was unable to prevent from hitting the net.

Town suffered a further blow four minutes later when Jon Nolan was forced off with an injury following treatment on the pitch. Andre Dozzell replaced the Liverpudlian midfielder.

On 21 Myles Kenlock hit the Blues’ first shot of the afternoon having cut in from the left but sent the ball well over the bar with his right foot.

Eight minutes later, Gwion Edwards was booked for a late challenge on Lichaj, the Welshman appearing to have lost his footing as the ball was played forward.

As the game reached the half-hour mark the Blues began to get on top and dominate possession, with sub Dozzell and Alan Judge increasingly influential, however, as has become so familiar in recent months, without being able to create a clear-cut opportunity.

On 34 Judge’s cross from the right eventually fell to Edwards but his curled effort was too high, the Irishman having switched to the right and the Welshman to the left.

Town continued to press and three minutes later, a superb, curling Bree cross from the right reached Edwards at the far post but the winger was unable to get enough on the ball to direct it towards goal.

Soon after, Hull were forced into a change with Beccles-born former Canary Chris Martin taking over from the injured Campbell.

The game briefly fell flat with Hull winning a succession of freekicks around the halfway line before the Blues regained the upper hand and came very close to getting on terms.

After an excellent move down the right involving Judge, Chalobah and Dozzell, Bree sent over a cross which eventually fell to Jackson. The striker worked himself space and shot goalwards but the ball was blocked by Lichaj on the line blocked.

In four minutes of injury time, Jarrod Bowen hit a shot which deflected through to Bialkowski, then a wayward Kenlock pass led to a Hull attack but Nsiala slid in to block Pugh’s shot.

Seconds before the whistle Town had the ball cleared off the line for a second time. Judge whipped over a left-sided corner to the near post, Edwards flicked on towards goal but Pugh was on hand to clear.

The half had been a microcosm of most of the Blues’ recent performances. They had been good on the ball and on top for the most part but without having turned that superiority into goals at one end, while conceding disappointingly at the other.

However, Town could count themselves unlucky to be behind at the break on this occasion with Jackson and Edwards both having had the ball cleared off the line.

Town: Bialkowski, Bree, Chambers (c), Nsiala, Kenlock, Skuse, Chalobah, Nolan (Dozzell 18), Edwards, Judge, Jackson. Subs: Gerken, Knudsen, Downes, Emmanuel, El Mizouni, Quaner.

Hull City: Marshall (c), Lichaj, De Wijs, Burke, Pugh, Groskicki, Irvine, Kane, Batty, Bowen, Campbell (Martin 38). Subs: Long, Stewart, Evandro, Milinkovic, McKenzie, Ridgewell. Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire).

Photo: TWTD

blueboy1981 added 16:14 - Mar 30 Where are the youngsters taking the opportunity to put their heads above the parapet, and impress ? i.e Dozzell.... !!! Luke warm first half from players looking no more than going through the motions - anyone criticising Chambers need to get real, at least he gives 100% - more than some players during this first half. Shameful performance - now 0-2 down. Let's give the season up now. Serious lack of ability, unfortunately coupled with an equally serious lack of effort, which can, and should, only come from every individual. WHERE IS THE EFFORT .... ???

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