Hull City vs Plymouth Argyle. Sky Bet Championship.
MKM StadiumAttendance20,312.
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Plymouth at the MKM Stadium as Adam Randell put Argyle ahead, before Regan Slater hit back for the Tigers on Saturday.
Sunday 1 October 2023 13:01, UK
Streetwise Plymouth frustrated Hull to earn a 1-1 draw at the MKM Stadium.
Argyle have struggled away from home since their return to the Sky Bet Championship.
But they were decent value for a point which was largely gained because of the late heroics of goalkeeper Conor Hazard.
Hull also looked up against it when Adam Randell scored for the visitors after 22 minutes.
The Tigers were fortunate to have equalised after Regan Slater capitalised upon two errors from defender Macaulay Gillesphey just before half-time.
And though Plymouth had to withstand relative pressure, they arguably deserved a share of the spoils.
Hull, albeit attractive on the eye and competent in possession, were, offensively, short of ideas for most of the game.
Jaden Philogene skied one over the crossbar after 15 minutes, but that was a a rare highlight for home fans.
Plymouth, suitably inspired by their 6-2 defeat of Norwich last weekend, might have been forgiven for going for the jugular at the MKM Stadium.
But they were patient from the outset and wisely chose their moments going forward in the first half.
Their opening goal came when Bali Mumba found a pocket of space on the left wing and his cross was parried to the right by goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, with the resulting deflection smartly steered home by Randell from a tricky angle.
Home supporters demanded a response, but it was not immediately forthcoming.
If anything, Hull should have been 2-0 down after 27 minutes when high-pressing Argyle hustled the hosts out of possession on the edge of the penalty area. Finn Azaz's low strike was almost perfect, but the ball struck the base of the right post before squirting along the chalk of the line for a goal-kick.
Hull finally kicked on after 35 minutes when left-back Ruben Vinagre sent over a fine cross into Plymouth's box. Adama Traore should have equalised, but his strong header went over the crossbar.
But Plymouth manager Steven Schumacher will have been quite content by the pattern of the game - until Gillesphey's defensive meltdown.
The 27-year-old firstly conceded possession to Philogene on the left, from where the ball appeared destined to bounce into touch.
But Gillesphey was too complacent - and Philogene reacted. He seized control and then crossed, through the legs of Dan Scarr, towards the back post where Slater could not miss.
Hull dominated possession in the second half but other than Aaron Connolly's sharp strike that fizzed just wide of the right post, Hazard was rarely troubled until late in the piece.
Randell might even have won the game after 71 minutes when his half-volley inside the box was pawed over the crossbar by Allsop.
Substitute Liam Delap set the tone for a late flurry of pressure after his powerful strike from the right was well tipped over by Hazard, who also did brilliantly to deny Tyler Morton and Alfie Jones at the death.
Yet Hull head coach Liam Rosenior must wonder why it took his side so long to get going, whereas Schumacher will view this as a fine result given Plymouth's issues on the road.
Hull's Liam Rosenior:
"I want more wins, but the wins will come as a process.
"The process is performance and our performances have been absolutely top this season.
"We have been so consistent - we don't get beat and have, other than two halves of football, dominated teams all season.
"I'm frustrated not to win the game, but I'm not frustrated about the performance. We had complete control and domination but you have to remember we are a work in progress."
Plymouth's Steven Schumacher:
"We knew this was going to be a difficult place to come. They are expansive when they play but if you can get the press right, you can cause them a problem.
"We expected a tough game and that was exactly what we got. Once we settled down after the first 10 minutes we looked good and composed.
"For us to concede right before half-time was a bit of a blow. In the second half it was the same - it ebbed and flowed - but I feel it was probably a deserved point.
"Late on, Conor's done what he's supposed to do, and the one he made (from Jones) was outstanding.
"It was a big moment for us. That now gives confidence going into the next away game.
