Town’s struggles against League One’s better sides continued as Hull City left Portman Road with a comfortable 3-0 victory. Mallik Wilks put the visitors ahead in the second minute, Josh Magennis made it two in first-half injury time and sub Tom Eaves made it three with 13 minutes left with the Blues, who are down to fifth in the table, never looking like they would get anything from the game.

Town boss Paul Lambert made four changes from the team which beat Shrewsbury 2-1 on Saturday with Luke Woolfenden, James Norwood, Keanan Bennetts and Emyr Huws all starting.

Woolfenden came in at the heart of the defence for Toto Nsiala, who dropped to the bench, while Huws was in central midfield with Teddy Bishop (ankle) and Jon Nolan (groin) both having picked up knocks on Saturday.

Alan Judge moved into the midfield three having been on the right of the front three against the Shrews. Brett McGavin continued in place of Andre Dozzell, who was serving the last game of his three-match ban.

Norwood was the lone central striker with Kayden Jackson among the subs, while Bennetts was handed his first league start for the Blues on the right of the front three with Freddie Sears continuing on the left.

Aaron Drinan returned to the bench for the first time since suffering a thigh injury in the opening league game against Wigan, while Oli Hawkins was also back in the 18 having missed out at the weekend due to knee and groin issues.

Hull City included ex-Blues right-back Josh Emmanuel and former Town loanee Callum Elder in their XI.

The Tigers made one change from the team which beat the MK Dons 3-1 on Saturday with Regan Slater coming in for Alfie Jones in central midfield.

After the teams took the knee in support of Black Lives Matter, the visitors took the lead with their first attack of the game in only the second minute.

Emmanuel fed George Honeyman to his left, who in turn played it on to Wilks, who was given time to hit a low shot past Tomas Holy to his left from just inside the area.

The Blues withstood a couple of promising Hull attacks in the immediate aftermath of the early goal before starting to dominate the ball, although without threatening.

On 23 Bennetts tricked his way into the box on the right of the box before hitting a shot which Jacob Greaves diverted out for a corner.

Town were beginning to look more dangerous with McGavin twice finding Ward with excellent passes, however, the Irishman’s crosses came to nothing. In the 25th minute the left-back took a dip at goal from a tight angle but the ball flew across the face.

Two minutes later, Norwood latched on to a ball over the top down the right and hit a shot which failed to trouble Matt Ingram in the Hull goal.

Town were forced into a change in the 32nd minute when Sears picked up what looked to be a hamstring problem. Lankester took over on the right of the front three with Bennetts moving to the left.

The Blues continued to see most of the ball but with Ingram untested. There was a scramble in the Tigers area following a Lankester corner on 38 but with no one able to get a clear sight of goal and eventually Bennetts dallied on the edge of the box and the danger was gone.

Almost immediately Wilks went to ground at the other end in a hopeful attempt to win a penalty before Hakeeb Adelakun’s weak shot was saved by Holy.

Chambers headed a Ward cross from the left to Ingram in the 44th minute and then Norwood was unable to get on a ball from deep from the Irishman at the far post.

The Blues were on top but were still to carve out a clear cut opportunity or significantly test Ingram.

And as the half moved into three minutes of injury time, the Tigers doubled their lead.

Reece Burke crossed from the right and an unmarked Josh Magennis beat Holy from eight yards with the Town players adamant the Northern Irish international was offside, however, the officials were unmoved by their protests.

Moments before the whistle, Chambers claimed a penalty when he was manhandled as a corner came over from the left but a spot-kick would have been a very generous award.

The skipper and his men trooped off after a half in which they had had plenty of the ball but as so often had been unable to turn possession into serious chances and goals.

At the other end, the Tigers had taken their two big opportunities clinically but with big questions over Town’s defending, and in the case of the second whether a linesman’s flag should have been raised.

The Blues had a mountain to climb in the second half if they were to maintain their 100 per cent home league record.

They started the period positively and on 49 Norwood flicked a McGavin cross following a corner towards goal but the ball was blocked by a defender.

The Blues continued to press and to try to find a way through the Hull backline but whatever they attempted they found an amber and black shirt in their way.

Hull should have made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute when Emmanuel, impressing down the right against his old side, crossed and Magennis, again completely unmarked, volleyed over when it looked easier to hit the target.

As Holy prepared to restart, the Tigers swapped Adelakun and Slater for James Scott and Jones.

Wilks had another chance for his side’s third when Bennetts gifted possession to the former Barnsley attacker in the Hull half on the Town right. Wilks broke away beyond Woolfenden, who made a desperate lunge to stop him on the edge of the box, but fortunately for the Blues Holy saved his shot from a tight angle.

Hull switched Magennis for Eaves in the 71st minute with the Tigers comfortably seeing out the second half.

Town had continued to huff and puff but with Ingram still untested. In the 72nd minute, Ward crossed from the left and Bennetts flicked a header wide.

A minute later, Ingram was forced into a save when Norwood was sent away down the left. The striker was on his own so hit a shot from a tight angle which the keeper turned behind.

Town replaced Norwood and Bennetts with Hawkins and Jackson as they prepared to take the resultant corner, which like so many of their set pieces came to nothing.

Any lingering hopes the Blues had of a shock turnaround were extinguished in the 77th minute when Eaves was sent away on goal after a wayward Lankester pass with Mark McGuinness playing him onside. The striker beat his former Gillingham team-mate Holy with confidence to make it 3-0.

Town continued to look for a goal in the remaining minutes but without ever going close and the referee’s whistle confirmed the visitors’ victory and an end to Town’s home league unbeaten run.

A Hull win never really looked in doubt from the moment they took the lead in the second minute. Town had plenty of the ball but never had the guile to find a way through the Tigers, who could well have won more convincingly with Magennis missing a chance as good as the three they scored.

If Hull as leaders are the benchmark for a team aspiring to automatic promotion, on this evidence the Blues, who are still without a win this season against anyone in League One’s top eight, look a long way short of that standard.

Had their been a crowd present, they would undoubtedly made their thoughts known at half-time and after the final whistle.

Town will have another go at beating one of the division’s top sides on Saturday when Charlton, who are down to sixth after a 4-2 defeat at Burton this evening, are in Suffolk.

Town: Holy, Chambers (c), Woolfenden, Nsiala, Ward, McGavin, Huws, Judge, Bennetts (Jackson 74), Sears (Lankester 32), Norwood (Hawkins 74). Unused: Cornell, Nsiala, Kenlock, Drinan.

Hull City: Ingram, Elder, Burke, Smallwood (c), Wilks (Coyle 83), Honeyman (Samuelsen 82), Emmanuel, Adelakun (Scott 63), Slater (Jones 63), Greaves, Magennis (Eaves 71). Unused: Long, Batty. Referee: Lee Swabey (Devon).

Photo: Matchday Images

norfolkbluey added 22:23 - Nov 24 Martin 587 I do believe I am in agreement. I didn't in all honesty think we might win but this appears an inept performance at all levels. This is happening earlier than last year. However we do have lots of key players injured but somehow we should still be doing better than this. To lose 3-0 at home smacks of poor managerial tactics. I now fear for my beloved Blues. But, its not over until the f*t lady sings, what ever that means! The name of the game is to score more goals than the other team. Well that's not happening at present.

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ArnieM added 22:24 - Nov 24 Whilst I agree with the vast majority of posts on here re PL tactical inability etc. I think the thing will save him from the chop is Towns injury list. With that “ excuse”, he currently has plausible deniability of total blame.
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graham2408 added 22:24 - Nov 24 I, and I guess all of us, are getting mightily fed up with poor results and performances week after week. We should be aiming for the Premier league and not hoping to stay in League one. Mr Evan's has given a succession of supposedly "good" managers a chance and, in spite of what people might say, spent money. Please get a decent manager in and let him "Manage". Sorry PL but you just don't have it!!

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Northstandveteran added 22:24 - Nov 24 Still wearing my ' Not in the least bit surprised ' face.
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RobsonWark added 22:26 - Nov 24 Esseeja added 21:39 - Nov 24 "Judging from the stunningly poor lack of ambition, passion and willingness to succeed at this club, I would show no shock, and would even be confident at this point, to see a club like ours in the bloody Vanarama leagues by 2030." 2030??? Are you having a laugh Esseeja??? We'll be in it by 2025 at this rate!!!
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RobsonWark added 22:29 - Nov 24 DaGremloid added 21:51 - Nov 24 "But at least the first team had a nice rest recently so they can concentrate on the league." That worked well - as usual didn't it!! Players will be sooooo much better after a rest - NOT!!
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blue86 added 22:33 - Nov 24 I blame simon clegg, with a fresh bit of paint on the turnstiles and all would be well again! Bring back Clegg it's our only hope! Have to laugh or I would cry.
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Northstandveteran added 22:34 - Nov 24 How anyone could have thought this season was going to be any different from the previous two is beyond me.
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TimmyH added 22:37 - Nov 24 Arnie M - agree with you BUT he's seems to have loads of 'get out of jail free cards', 2018/19 season it was that he inherited Hurst's squad though he had 6 months to save us from relegation. Secondly last season it was the premature ending to the season due to Covid which to a degree saved his bacon though we were in free fall now it's the possible injury list even though he wasn't playing Downes when he was fit and Dozzell wasn't even an influence last season and as for KVY will he ever be back? but have missed Edwards over the last 2 games. I'd sack him and see what another manager could do with this squad as there's still time but we're dealing with Evans here and he'll probably give Lambert a further extension to his contact in the New Year to add to his multitude of poor decisions.

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Bluearmy_81 added 22:38 - Nov 24 London tractor, well said. The apathy and lack of pride and passion, the lack of fight from town fans to stand up for their club and demand better is appalling. No where else would fans have sat and watched as the cream of our players were sold and the funds not reinvested, instead the squad quietly downgraded in terms of skill and quality, its been shocking. Town fans have played a big part in us being where we are now...

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Bluearmy_81 added 22:40 - Nov 24 2408, Evans has spent money?! Are you having a laugh?!! Do you mean spending 6m after 12m of sales in the summer of 18?! Comedy gold...
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coolhand added 22:42 - Nov 24 I think a defensive set up and display would have been a sensible game plan tonight given injuries etc. And hope for a late goal, referee penalty for us etc. It would have been boring and not to the liking of us supporting the town but might have got us a point and given emphasis for the charlton game. Now we know what that game outcome will be, sadly a defeat
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DerryfromBury added 22:42 - Nov 24 Mick Mills in commentary said, Hull are nothing special. What the hell does that make us. As many have already said. why leave it so late to make any changes when your chasing the game and then replace the only player who posed any real threat to the opposition. Glue less... I apricate we are carrying a lot of injuries but surely our second string should be much better than that performance.

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Bert added 22:44 - Nov 24 Anyone looking at the match stats but not viewing tonight's debacle would be forgiven for thinking that we we played ok. We did not. Injuries aside, tonight was a repetition of players looking clueless except Norwood and Bennett. We can't knock the youngsters who are filling the shoes of others but we can blame Lambert for sticking to a system that is not working. If he is unable to execute a plan B then even I think he should go.

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RobsonWark added 22:45 - Nov 24 We should arrange to turn up to the Playford Road training ground and throw eggs at all the players cars as they turn up and again when the leave to go home!! I'd rather have spent my £10 on eggs than paying to watch tonight's match on ifollow!!
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62WasBest added 22:51 - Nov 24 Have got any strikers who can strike?
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BettyBlue added 22:52 - Nov 24 Who is on this amazing injury's list? doubt there is more than one player who would have GAY GAME TONIGHT.
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BettyBlue added 22:54 - Nov 24 oops my eyes doubt there is more than one player on that list who would have got a game tonight
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pazzy added 22:54 - Nov 24 this started with hurst selling our better players and buying crap I don't understand lamberts tactics I don't he does either we are not good enough to play out from the back its a bloody joke
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MickMillsTash added 22:56 - Nov 24 Its had to see any sign of coaching or organisation. The defence is all over the place, no one is taking command, little cover and now low confidence. The midfield- many changes but again little organisation who is picking up, we follow the ball instead of the man - and when on the ball - confidence is lost - Having one up front makes every pass sideways this is 451 not 433 - we miss Edwards Where do we go ?- the side is falling to pieces - Injuries are a reason but even if all the players were back we were not good enough last year under Lambert. We are not creating we do not look as if we know how to create, the midfield is a mess and the defence is creaking. Its coming to an end - whatever Lee O'Neil does he should be planning Plan B and giving us all a new manager for Christmas

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mervetheswerve added 22:57 - Nov 24 another clueless performance although I thought first half were a bit unlucky to go into half time 2- 0 down. nothing more to say as all other comments have already said what I think all very depressing
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KillarneyBlue added 22:58 - Nov 24 Mick Would not have us in this position!!!!
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BeattiesBackPocket added 23:56 - Nov 24 The manager and a lot of players are out of their depth and as a club top to bottom we've accepted mediocrity and there's too many fans accepting mediocrity under evans and those fans who constantly stick up for him or don't want to protest or make a fuss because according to them there's ‘no alternative' (even though no one actually knows if that true until the club goes up for sale however I'll bring your attention to an interview from only 2019 where he admits turning down two offers to buy the club below https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/marcus-evans-i-m-glad-i-turned-down-offers-to-buy-i we have constantly offered contracts to mediocre players and managers who were partly responsible for our demise not through their own fault but because they were not good enough, not passionate enough and Some of our fans seem okay with it as Fuller wrote in EADT only last week some of our fans accept it well not many other fans would? I'd ask rabbit, dolphin etc would you rather had what we had before evans took over in 2007? Which is the following; Out of administration, 30 million debt, a team challenging near and around the playoffs a passionate ex player as manager, players inc wilnis, Tommy Miller, legwinski, De Vos, Sito, Alex Bruce, Richard Naylor, Garvan, Cornago OR maybe you guys prefer; The 100 million debt, a journeyman manager, a team not even challenging in league one and this is not based on just tonight but where we finished last season and the fact we've yet to beat a team anywhere near the top six as yet?? Please comment and let me know I'm interested in which you'd prefer and please don't ask me for an alternative as we had two previous buyers that Evans turned down so 🤷‍♂️

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RobsonWark added 00:04 - Nov 25 BeattiesBackPocket - I don't think we've beaten a team in the top 8 or 9 the last 2 seasons let alone top 6...
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BeattiesBackPocket added 00:08 - Nov 25 And can we stop making excuses of injuries because it's been the same again for the past ten years injury after injury were either really unlucky or again we have a mediocre physio team and resources which again I would highlight another interview a couple of seasons back regarding a young lad who was taking the club to court over treatment he received when injured ruining his career. How have we moved so far away from that family club of supporters to as Evans and Clegg once called us customers it's a sad state

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