Hull hold off Toffees' charge

First-half masterclass just enough to secure Tigers win

Last updated: 26th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hull hold off Toffees' charge

Dawson: Brilliant strike

Man of the Match: Stephen Hunt. The feisty midfielder was too much for Everton to handle in the first half as he broke free to score the first and also sent in the cross that resulted in Hull's third goal.

Goal of the Match: Andy Dawson's free-kick was a superbly hit effort that sailed over the wall and into the top corner of Tim Howard's net.

Save of the Match: Everton may have gone a goal down just seconds later, but Howard should be given full credit for his reaction save from Altidore's close-range drive.

Talking Point: After speculation over his job reached boiling point, Phil Brown has responded with seven points from a possible nine. Is it time to give the Hull boss a break?

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Fast-starting Hull City were forced to fend off a second-half barrage from Everton but hung on to claim a vital 3-2 win at the KC Stadium.

The Tigers took the lead with less than 10 minutes gone as Stephen Hunt drilled home a rebound after Tim Howard had saved brilliantly from Jozy Altidore.

The advantage was doubled soon after when left-back Andy Dawson smashed a stunning free-kick into the top corner, giving Howard no chance.

Dean Marney then made it 3-0 before half-time when his shot was deflected in by Tim Cahill after some great work by Hunt on the left.

Kamil Zayatte handed Everton a lifeline four minutes after the break when he sliced a harmless cross from John Heitinga over his own goalkeeper Matt Duke and into the net.

Zayatte was at fault again when he hacked down Louis Saha in-front of goal, gifting Everton a penalty that Saha converted to give the visitors hope of an unlikely draw.

But the Toffees had given themselves too much work to do and remain 14th in the Premier League table, level on points with a resurgent Hull.

Both sides looked nervous in the opening minutes and Zayatte needed two attempts to clear a Leighton Baines cross after miskicking.

Shaky

But it was Everton who looked the shakier at the back and Hull set the tone for the first half as they broke forward to take a ninth-minute lead.

Geovanni, looking hungry after a suspension and then being left out for Saturday's draw against West Ham, pegged the visitors back by combining well with Hunt on the left.

The Irishman's cross then took a big deflection off Joseph Yobo but Howard reacted well to save at point-blank range as Altidore controlled and hit a fierce shot.

The danger was still not clear and Hunt was the first to react, racing in to blast home his third of the season from six yards.

Geovanni shot at Howard from long range soon after and the hosts then doubled their advantage on 20 minutes after Yobo fouled Zayatte on the edge of the area.

Left-back Dawson stepped up to curl a superb free-kick over the wall and into the top corner.

Everton almost pulled one back instantly as Sylvain Distin met a Baines corner with a powerful header but it flew just over the bar.

Rampant

That proved a rare foray forward for the Toffees, who were caught out by another Hull break just before the half-hour.

Baines failed to stop the rampant Hunt crossing from the right and the first of two fortunate deflections in quick succession diverted the ball into Marney's path.

The midfielder struck his shot first time but Howard was wrong-footed as the ball bounced in off Cahill.

It almost got worse for Everton before the break as Altidore created a shooting opportunity with a strong run but shot over.

The tone of the game changed within four minutes of the restart as Everton were gifted a goal back.

Repeating his fluffed clearance from the opening minutes of the game, Zayatte this time sliced Heitinga's cross and the ball spun over Matt Duke into the Hull goal.

Hull almost caught Everton on the break in search of a fourth as Hunt and then Geovanni surged forward but the Brazilian was unable to pick out Altidore.

Everton instantly made the most of that reprieve as they launched a long ball forward and claimed a crucial penalty after 64 minutes.

Zayatte was again the guilty party with a clumsy challenge on Saha and the Frenchman stepped up to convert from the spot.

Despite the double setback, Hull still refused to sit back and Howard saved well from Richard Garcia's fierce left-foot drive.

It looked like the game could go either way as Cahill blasted over and Duke anxiously grabbed the ball in a goalmouth scramble.

Hull looked shaky late on but Everton squandered their last chance when Baines shot tamely into the wall from a free-kick on the edge of the area.

Hull CityTeam StatisticsEverton
3Goals2
31st Half Goals0
6Shots on Target2
1Shots off Target2
1Blocked Shots2
3Corners4
19Fouls23
1Offsides1
1Yellow Cards4
0Red Cards0
67.6Passing Success71.4
9Tackles24
77.8Tackles Success58.3
43.5Possession56.5
45.9Territorial Advantage54.1

Comments (14)

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Joel Robins (Coventry City fan) says...

Alright cheers, hope Hull turn the Mancs over.. get them back for last season's result there, Man City are over rated anyway.

Posted 23:04 26th November 2009

Andy Bradley (Hull City fan) says...

Another 3 points for Hull City - and unbeaten at home in the last 5 games now. Bullard rested, and will be ready for the match at Eastlands on Saturday. On current form maybe Hull will come away with a point??

Posted 14:12 26th November 2009

Andy Brown (Hull City fan) says...

bullard never played because phil brown doesnt want to risk him getting injured again

Posted 13:20 26th November 2009

Carl Shepherdson (Hull City fan) says...

Joel Robbins (Coventry City Fan) Jimmy Bullard didnt play not through injury he told the club he cannot play 3 games a week at the moment he is stay working towards match fitness as a result of his long term injury, he will be back at the weekend against man city.

Posted 12:55 26th November 2009

Darren Lacey (Hull City fan) says...

Slight soreness in the Knee - 9 months out then a couple of tough games. Think they were just being cute with him. £5 mil invested in him is a lot of money so we need to be careful. Plus he was never going to play 3 games in 7 days. I assume he will be back at our nemesis - Manchester City on Saturday. Up the Tigers!!

Posted 12:43 26th November 2009

Joel Robins (Coventry City fan) says...

Anyone know why Jimmy Bullard never played?

Posted 10:22 26th November 2009

Ken Hillerby (Hull City fan) says...

Great to see some confidence at last. Well done Phil Brown, we have some tough game ahead. So keep up the good work lads,

Posted 09:21 26th November 2009

Paul Wood (Hull City fan) says...

Great win for Hull keep it going and stuff the Gunners on Sat

Posted 09:09 26th November 2009

Stephen Jackson (Hull City fan) says...

A good post Nigel, Everton fan. I am a Tigers season ticket holder but my second team has always been Everton. I cannot understand why your local authority wants to prevent the new stadium. It does not make sense. Thank goodness Hull City Council were brave enough to build the KC. Look where we are now. I never thought I would see my beloved tigers in the biggest league in the world.

Posted 09:05 26th November 2009

Nigel Avery (Everton fan) says...

This is a real low point for the team, with three main causes and not just injuries. We knew about the main losses during the summer. I won't chastise a great manager and chairman but Moysey did say that he wouldn't make the same mistake as last season and buy at the last minute, just as the season started..and what do we do again? Then there's the funds..quite simply, were the funds there? Of course they weren't..Moysey was just protecting the chairman who, has already said he has no funds. (Fair play to him). And now West Kirby..our only chance for survival at the top level. Looks like the Govt have blocked us as well as the 'Red' local council! It's a simple conspiracy to kill off Everton and have a one team city. Well Mrs Home Secretary along with your friends in the local council ..you will FAIL!! FOREVER EVERTON

Posted 07:12 26th November 2009

Paul Spencer (Liverpool fan) says...

Now for liverpool to spank everton on sunday.

Posted 23:39 25th November 2009

Rob Fletcher (Hull City fan) says...

Great three points tonight and well deserved. Thankfully Everton did not equalise from a very dodgy dive right near the end.

Posted 23:28 25th November 2009

Kevin Roberts (Arsenal fan) says...

you have to praise the hull board for keeping their faith in phil brown as he has now shaken off consistent critisism and got hull back on track its just a shame that paul hart did not get a nother couple of games as i thought portsmouth could have caused an upset against Man Utd on saturday as they seem to be inproving game by game.

Posted 23:03 25th November 2009

Barrie Gannon (Everton fan) says...

Bored of this now, it's like the bad old day's !! A serious lack of quality in the "squad".

Posted 22:42 25th November 2009
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