City See Off Dogged Tigers!

Last updated : 13 March 2014 By Footy Mad - Editor

AUG 2013 MAN CITY 2 HULL CITY 0

1. Joe Hart   
5. Pablo Zabaleta   
6. Joleon Lescott   
33. Matija Nastasic   
13. Aleksandar Kolarov   
25. Fernandinho   
42. Yaya Toure   
15. Jesus Navas   
16. Sergio Aguero  76' 
21. David Silva  66' 
10. Edin Dzeko  46' 
 
Subs
7. James Milner  76' 
8. Samir Nasri  66' 
9. Alvaro Negredo  46' 
14. Javi Garcia   
22. Gael Clichy   
30. Costel Pantilimon   
35. Stevan Jovetic  

Alvaro Negredo and Yaya Toure struck in the second half as Manchester City finally saw off a dogged Hull side at the Etihad Stadium.

A week after suffering an unexpected loss to promoted Cardiff, the hosts were again troubled by one of the Barclays Premier League's newcomers in what was an unconvincing display by Manuel Pellegrini's men.

Substitute Negredo, who Hull tried to sign before their doomed last campaign in the top flight four years ago, broke the deadlock after the hour and Toure curled in a last-minute free-kick.

Hull can take many positives from their resilient display, as well as another fine performance by goalkeeper Allan McGregor, but they will rue an early missed chance by Sone Aluko.

Danny Graham, replacing the suspended Yannick Sagbo, also struck only to see a flag raised for offside.

Pellegrini's defence had a more solid look about it with Matija Nastasic fit again to play alongside Joleon Lescott in place of makeshift centre-back Javi Garcia.

But the hosts were slow out of the blocks and Hull took advantage of their lethargy, frustrating the hosts with their determination to defend strongly and chase everything.

Joe Hart, under scrutiny for club and country after an indifferent start to the season, seemed uncertain as Hull made an early move into the box but Pablo Zabaleta cleared the danger.

Hull should have claimed the lead in the seventh minute when Graham's ball took a fortunate ricochet off Nastasic and sent Aluko clear.

But the former Rangers striker squandered a glorious opportunity as he scuffed a low shot wide of the post after reaching the edge of the area unchallenged.

It sparked a lively passage of play and the in-form McGregor saved superbly at his near post from an Edin Dzeko header at a corner.

Hull had the ball in the net after 11 minutes when Graham slid to meet a superb Robbie Brady cross with a fine volley but the on-loan Sunderland striker was marginally offside.

McGregor was in action again moments later, tipping over a powerful Lescott header from a delicate David Silva cross.

Hull captain Robert Koren then drove narrowly wide after a free-kick was not properly cleared but the game then became rather scrappy.

Manchester City were unable to impose themselves and frustration among the fans was evident, even as early as the 30-minute mark.

Sergio Aguero weaved his way through the Hull defence with a typical jinking run but then lifted the ball into McGregor's arms.

Aguero was also unable to control a Silva pass and Dzeko had a cross bundled behind as the hosts' difficulties continued.

Pellegrini attempted to inject his side with fresh life at the start of the second half, sending on summer signing Negredo in place of Dzeko.

Yet it took Negredo some time to find his radar, with his first contribution being to head a long way wide from a Silva cross three minutes after coming on.

It was a while before the next chance materialised as Hull continued to battle and City struggled to piece together meaningful attacks.

They finally produced some quality to break the deadlock with a good attack down the right in the 64th minute.

Zabaleta got behind the defence and whipped an inviting cross for Negredo, who moved into space and leapt high to plant a firm header past McGregor.

The goal appeared to do the job for the home side and they then played out until the final whistle.

They sat back and looked to strike on the break but they were again unable to muster much to worry Hull.

The visitors pressed until the end and they tried to have one last crack, but Hart punched a Tom Huddlestone free-kick away convincingly and then cleared an Ahmed Elmohamady cross.

And the points were safe in the final minute when substitute Samir Nasri was fouled on the edge of the box and Toure stepped up to curl in a superb free-kick, despite Elmohamady tracking back to the goal-line.


HULL v MAN CITY

2013/2014 Sat 31 Aug Man. City 2 - 0 Hull City Premier League  
2009/2010 Sat 06 Feb Hull City 2 - 1 Man. City Premier League  
 Sat 28 Nov Man. City 1 - 1 Hull City Premier League  
2008/2009 Fri 26 Dec Man. City 5 - 1 Hull City Premier League  
 Sun 16 Nov Hull City 2 - 2 Man. City Premier League  
1988/1989 Sat 21 Jan Man. City 4 - 1 Hull City Second Division  
 Sat 27 Aug Hull City 1 - 0 Man. City Second Division  
1987/1988 Wed 02 Mar Man. City 2 - 0 Hull City Second Division  
 Tue 29 Sep Hull City 3 - 1 Man. City Second Division  
1950/1951 Sat 17 Mar Hull City 3 - 3 Man. City Second Division  
 Sat 28 Oct Man. City 0 - 0 Hull City Second Division  
1927/1928 Mon 16 Apr Hull City 0 - 0 Man. City Second Division  
 Sat 08 Oct Man. City 2 - 1 Hull City Second Division  
1926/1927 Sat 09 Apr Man. City 2 - 2 Hull City Second Division  
 Sat 20 Nov Hull City 3 - 2 Man. City Second Division  
1909/1910 Sat 12 Feb Man. City 3 - 0 Hull City Second Division  
 Sat 02 Oct Hull City 1 - 2 Man. City Second Division