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Hull City 2-0 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Saturday, 15th Sep 2018 17:13

Town continue to wait for their first win under Paul Hurst after goals at either end of the match saw Hull City to a 2-0 victory at the KCOM Stadium. Jarrod Bowen struck after three minutes, then sub Jackson Irvine sealed the three points a minute from time with the Blues dropping to bottom of the table.

Flynn Downes returned to the Blues starting line-up in midfield alongside Cole Skuse with Jon Nolan taking the more advanced central role behind Jon Walters, who was the lone striker.

Kayden Jackson dropped to the bench where Danny Rowe was included for the first time in the Championship this season. Janoi Donacien was again the loanee to miss out on a place in the 18.

In front of a very sparse KCOM Stadium crowd Hull took the lead from the first attack of the game in the third minute.

Downes dawdled and was caught in possession by Fraizer Campbell midway inside the Town half and the former Crystal Palace man played in Jarrod Bowen on the right of the box from where he dinked the ball over Dean Gerken with Matthew Pennington unable to clear off the line. It was Bowen’s third goal in three games against Town and his first of this season.

After the shock of conceding the early goal it took the Blues a little while to threaten. However, they briefly began to make some headway and on 13 Gwion Edwards worked space to cross from the right and Jordan Graham was just prevented from getting in a shot from the edge of the box.

Town came close to claiming an equaliser in the 16th minute from a well-worked corner. Graham’s deep flag-kick from the right was nodded back across the area by Skuse and Nolan headed wide at the near post when he will feel he ought to have done better.

However, almost immediately the Tigers came close to doubling their lead. Campbell again sent Bowen away, this time down the middle, and only a well-timed challenge from skipper Luke Chambers prevented the former Hereford forward from getting in a shot at goal.

The Blues were unable to get the ball away from their area and on 19 a cross from the left reached Campbell who failed to make contact with an acrobatic attempt at a volley.

Hull continued to put Town under pressure winning a number of corners, one of which Evandro flicked not too far over at the near post.

The Tigers continued to control the game but without creating further chances until the 33rd minute when Campbell headed over from a Todd Kane corner.

Town had made no impact at the other end since Nolan’s header but in the 34th minute Walters won a freekick midway inside the Hull half but Graham’s set piece towards the striker was too long.


The Blues were starting to make more of an impression, however, and a minute later Nolan played the ball into the box from the right to Walters, who turned it on to Graham on the left, from where the on-loan Wolves man curled a shot not too far wide.

Then, on 40, Graham’s cross from the left was poorly cleared by Stephen Kingsley to the edge of the box and Nolan struck a difficult half-volley over the bar. Soon after, Hull were forced to swap the injured Daniel Batty for Kevin Stewart.

Town continued to threaten and on 44 Knudsen’s very deep cross from the left reached Edwards rushing in at the back of the box and the Welshman volleyed powerfully against Kingsley.

Although the Blues had ended the half on top, they had been very much second best for most of the period and were fortunate to be only a goal behind.

The early goal inevitably gave the home side - without a win at home in their previous four games this season - a boost, while the Blues struggled to make an impact aside from the brief spell in which Nolan went close.

However, they might well have created an opening from when they could have grabbed a leveller during their spell just before the break.

Town started the second half on the front foot having most of the ball but without being able to carve out an early opportunity.

The Blues continued to take the game to the Tigers and in the 56th minute a cross from the right reached Graham at the far post but fell the wrong side of the winger and he was unable to get in a shot.

A minute later, a loose ball ran to Downes on the edge of the area but the midfielder scuffed his shot wide.

But Hull gradually began to get back on top and on 58 Gerken was forced into his first save of the second half from Campbell’s strike. The keeper was unable to hold on to the shot but Knudsen was first to the loose ball and showed composure to take his time and clear.

On 65 Campbell was booked following a foul on Downes, however the caution was more for a serious of transgressions rather than just that challenge.

A minute later, Town struck their first shot on target of the afternoon, however, Graham’s effort was too close to David Marshall, who saved comfortably. Hull switched Kingsley for Jackson Irvine in the 69th minute.

The Tigers went close to adding to their lead soon afterwards, Pennington nodding Evandro’s shot away from in front of the line after Bowen’s shot from a tight angle had fallen to the Brazilian.

Town made their first substitution of the afternoon in the 72nd minute, Jackson taking over from Downes. Seconds later, a Graham corner from the left flashed across the Hull six-yard box having been inadvertently flicked goalwards by a Hull head.

But the Tigers, and specifically Bowen, were still looking the most likely scorers of the game’s second goal. On 74 the Hull forward cut in from the right and hit a shot which Gerken did well to save with his foot. Soon after, Stewart was booked for a foul on Jackson.

Rowe took over from Edwards in the 79th minute with the former Macclesfield man on the left and Graham - who had made more of an impression than he had against Norwich - moving to the right.

Bowen threatened to score his second goal of the game once again in the 81st minute having been sent away behind the Blues’ backline but Gerken was out quickly to thwart him with Chambers also playing a part with his physicality.

On 86, with Hull still looking the more likely scorers of the game’s second goal, Ellis Harrison replaced Graham, then two minutes later Hull swapped Campbell for Beccles-born former Canary Chris Martin, who was making his debut for his new loan club.

And in the penultimate minute of scheduled time that second Tigers goal arrived. Evandro chipped a ball behind the Town defence for sub Irvine to run on to. Spence tried to hold off the Australian international but was brushed aside and the former Burton man beat Gerken confidently.

The whistle confirmed the Blues’ fourth away defeat in their first four games and Hull had claimed their first win at home at the fourth attempt.

It was a victory the home side deserved and they might well have had the game sewn up prior to Irvine’s late goal with Bowen in particular regularly threatening. The Tigers caused the Blues more defensive problems in open play than anyone else they have faced so far this season.

Town put in their poorest display of the season but had periods where they were on top however they never convinced that they were going to get anything from the game with Marshall in the Hull goal rarely seriously tested. The best chance was Nolan’s first-half header wide.

The Blues, now bottom of the table by two clear points with three sides ahead of them on five, now have back-to-back home games against Brentford and Bolton - second and 10th respectively - as they look to finally end their increasingly concerning wait for a win.

Hull City: Marshall, De Wijs, Burke, Evandro, Kane, Batty (Stewart 41), Bowen, Henriksen (c), Kingsley (Irvine 69), Campbell (Martin 88), Elphick. Unused: Long, Dicko, Grosicki, McKenzie.

Town: Gerken, Spence, Chambers (c), Pennington, Knudsen, Skuse, Downes (Jackson 72), Edwards (Rowe 79), Nolan, Graham (Harrison 86), Walters. Unused: Bialkowski, Chalobah, Ward, Edun. Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland). Att: 11,650.


Photo: Pagepix



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midastouch added 17:13 - Sep 15
Paul HURTS
10

Tractorboy1985 added 17:14 - Sep 15
Give me all the down arrows you like..... HURST OUT.. not playing for him!
3

Bluearmy_81 added 17:14 - Sep 15
Thank you Mr Evans, thank you
-5

unknown100 added 17:14 - Sep 15
I'm just not sure why we needed a complete overhaul.... if you'd just added Nolan, Edwards and a good centre back to that team and then taught them a playing style I'd have said we'd had enough

We had a solid squad, and I said whoever took over would be so happy to take over that squad, exceptional youngsters coming through but just needed a playing style, it's an unforgiving league, not sure what's going to happen
47

iaintaylorx added 17:14 - Sep 15
We're going through a manor transition, but I would be lying if I said I am not worried. Hmm...
18

Bluearmy_81 added 17:15 - Sep 15
#DontquestionEvanssssssshhh
1

dukey44 added 17:17 - Sep 15
Simple answer is no we won't win either sorry to say
2

blueboy1981 added 17:17 - Sep 15
Truth being what it is - Paul Hurst you are simply out of your depth.

No use camouflaging this, we have again made a very poor side look good - just cannot continue, at this rate we will not have won a match by Xmas.

Get George Burley back at the Club in some influential capacity before we are seriously looking at the EXIT sign.
33

WirralBlue added 17:18 - Sep 15
Down me all you like. We are going down. How many of Hurst's permanent signings started today? He looks out of his depth to me.

I despise Allardyce, but he will keep us up this season and promoted the next. Get him in now.
-5

pup12 added 17:19 - Sep 15
Where is this high pressing attacking football Hurst talked about!???? Mm had to go but jesus we are playing the same way but with worse players. I know long way to go but squad has had two weeks to work on style. I'm gutted as I really thought Hurst was right man.
Evans is to blame too
24

RedDust added 17:21 - Sep 15
UP to this point in Paul Hurst's career he's shown he can get his teams into league 1
6

clint_eastwood added 17:21 - Sep 15
If he can drop our player of the season, so please drop Chambers & Knudsen. Please!!!
3

Bluearmy_81 added 17:21 - Sep 15
I went today and we wouldn't have scored if we'd kept playing till Tuesday. Against Hull. Very worrying. Truth is if the club had any real ambition our best players wouldn't have wanted to leave and we wouldn't have had to bend over to Derby. Blame Evans
18

Elizabeth added 17:21 - Sep 15
What a dreadful start to the season .. far too many changes to contend with ! Confidence must be rock bottom .. six points from the next two home matches a must .. another stubborn guy at the helm I fear , his way or no way !
11

Big_Steve added 17:22 - Sep 15
We got what we wanted with a change of manager but it's just not working right now. I haven't got to a game yet but it seems we lurch from being decent but unlucky to totally useless. Someone please tell me there's a glimmer of hope because at this rate we definitely have a relegation battle to look forward to. I'm imagining the wry smile on Mick McCarthy's face but you know what, ANYTHING is better than that dross football...RIGHT?
15

Dalty added 17:22 - Sep 15
Don't understand all the changes over the summer, for all MM's faults Hurst took over a team which finished in the top half. Considering Hurst had 2 weeks to work with the players today's performance was unforgivably disjointed, very few grounds for optimism right now.
35

hucks216 added 17:24 - Sep 15
I can't help thinking that the dressing room is against Hurst.
7

shakytown added 17:24 - Sep 15
At least it cant get any worse?????
4

BlueandTruesince82 added 17:25 - Sep 15
Faith crumbling. I never expected greatness this season but competitiveness at least
23

Viking1759 added 17:25 - Sep 15
Where do I start!? Possibly the worst game of Football if you can call it that I have had the misfortune to watch as a long standing avid Town fan! I wonder what the hell they have been doing for the last TWO weeks!!?

They do did NOT know what they were doing!!

I was going to give him time but after today we are doomed!! 😳😥

Sort it!!
23

blueherts added 17:25 - Sep 15
We leave a much better RB out the squad for loanees who dont get on . We send another out on loan . Spence and Graham not up to it . Nolan not up to speed . We have no midfield creativity and 2 strikers costing over £2m sitting on the bench . I wanted MM gone and the early promise of better football with no luck has become .direct gootball and little clue . Something not right . Is Hurst up for the job ? Are players behind him ? The Bart situation is a strange one . Too much change has sent us rock bottom. If by end of Oct we are in same position something will have to happen . Brentford and Bolton home are huge for Hurst future .
32

blue86 added 17:26 - Sep 15
oh dear oh dear! now im starting to worry. now im all for giving managers time and yes its still early, but the signs dont look good one bit. cant score, cant defend and the players look out of there depth big time! paul hurst needs to sort this and quick, have a bad feeling this could be the season it all goes wrong! why did he feel the need to bring TO MANY lower league gambles in all at once? is paul hurst out of his depth? selling ALL of our proven championship strikers also was a bit stupid to say the least! Sort it out town! NOW!
15

Batram98 added 17:26 - Sep 15
Paul Hurst comes in and tries to make a point and put his stamp on things by bringing in all lower league players? Couple games later Paul Hurst realises he's messed up with signings and has had to look at the loan market? First time weve spent money on players and I can see 1 or 2 maybe becoming championship players but I think Mick was a fantastic manager and you could see how together the players were when he was here and mick is exactly the kind or manager we will need if things stay this way
12

midastouch added 17:27 - Sep 15
It's not all doom and gloom folks, only 2 points to find from our remaining 39 games in order to achieve Marcus Evan's much-vaunted 5 point plan!
18

CarltonBlue added 17:28 - Sep 15
So much wrong here now. Terrible team selections (Spence!!!), players out on loan who should be in the team (Emmanuel), Jackson/Harrison and even Walters are not going to give us 15-20 goals in a championship season. Nolan has ability but never gets the ball enough. Jordan Graham...I don't know what to say! Not convinced most of the squad truly buy in to Hurst's approach - I've not seen the pressing football he talks about yet. Plus look who we've played so far - no world beaters. This feels like Paul Jewell all over again to me.
28


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