http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/28/hull-city-fulham-premier-league-match-report Steve Bruce hailed Tom Huddlestone's midfield masterclass as the best individual performance he has ever seen. As a former Manchester United captain who shared a pitch with Bryan Robson, Paul Ince and Roy Keane, the Hull manager is hardly short of benchmarks but even he was staggered by Huddlestone's contribution to a remarkable victory. The former Tottenham midfielder, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Saturday, was superb from first minute to last, controlling the centre of the field, spraying pinpoint passes with both feet and ending a two-and-a-half-year scoring drought when finding the bottom corner from 20 yards. He celebrated by allowing Hull physio Rob Price to cut a lock of hair on the touchline – having pledged to grow out his afro until he found the net. Huddlestone might even have had a hat-trick, clattering the post in the first half and then seeing an audacious 40-yard free-kick tipped on to the crossbar by the Fulham goalkeeper, David Stockdale. "The lads stood and applauded Tom when he walked into the dressing room and that doesn't happen often," said Bruce. "I don't often pick out individuals but I don't think I've witnessed a performance as good as I've just seen from Tom. "He gave a masterclass of how to play in midfield. He had the lot: free-kicks, passing range, goals, a shot from 40 yards. He hit the post and the bar ... he's just an outstanding footballer, absolutely outstanding. "I've been fortunate to have played in some good teams but I can't really remember an individual performance as good as he produced today. "The free-kick from 40 yards, not many people can even strike from there and the movement he got on it is something he practises in training. Nobody can strike it like him and all those hours on the training ground have worked." Indeed, the only area where Huddlestone did not win Bruce's full praise was his unusual celebration. "Maybe he's been rehearsing that ... when I saw the physio get the scissors out I thought 'I've seen it all now'," Bruce said. "It was ridiculous, I have to say." Huddlestone's hair growth has been part of a fundraising drive for Cancer Research UK and Hull have confirmed they will be auctioning the hair clipped by Price for charity. Outside of Huddlestone's man-of-the-match display there were first goals of the season for the captain, Robert Koren, who scored twice from close range, Matty Fryatt and George Boyd. Ahmed Elmohamady set the ball rolling by opening the scoring three minutes into the second half. Hull had scored nine times in their previous nine games at home and Bruce was happy to bask in a rare prolific day. "It was one of the great days that we will remember for a long, long time," he said. "In my experience it doesn't often happen that you go and win 6-0 in the Barclays Premier League. "It was quite incredible. We got the first one and then the floodgates opened, which doesn't happen very often at this level." The shellshocked Fulham coach, Rene Meulensteen, was at a loss to explain his side's shortcomings. Having beaten Norwich away at Carrow Road on Boxing Day, hopes were high for a mini revival but they were ended in brutal fashion. "I've asked myself what happened and I've asked the players. I didn't see this coming," he said. "I've been saying to all the media and all the press that the lads have been fantastic for me, that I can't fault the performances they've put in, that we haven't got the results we deserved but this is something completely different. "Losing is hard to take but losing in such a manner is hard for any professional player."
****. I thought it was me been all girly and emotional about it, thinking that was the best performance I'd ever seen by anyone in an amber and black shirt, so I was been a bit reticent in proclaiming it as such. But after reading that, **** it, I'll say it. That was the greatest performance by a Hull City player I've ever seen.
Great article. That was indeed a performance for the ages by Thudd. Just hope he doesn't get ALL that hair removed and become weak like Sampson
And according to that twit on the BBC, Robbie Savage, Thudd still isn't in contention to head to Brazil. Point-blank said it to a City caller on 606. Disgusting. How Cleverley gets on that plane before Thudd (theoretically - not literally) is baffling.
Its obvious how - he plays for Man Utd. If Thudd was still at Spurs doing what he has for us, he'd be in the England squad.
Didn't hear that, but Savage is a tosser who just speaks in order to get a reaction. Huddlestone is one of the best midfield players in England. What's stopping the likes of Savage recognising it is that he plays for us rather than ManU. That in itself is depressing but predictable.
I have been watch since 1958 and that is the best performance I have ever seen from a City player, quite outstanding.
Cleverley's ridiculously overated; like many others in the current Man United team, they're either not as good as they're purported to be or not as good as they once were. Hence, they have to pull all of the sort of stunts they did against us, as well as relying on weak referees to try and keep picking up points. Ferguson certainly knew what he was doing when he decided to bail out! Unless they spend a lot of money in January, I can't see anyway they'll make top 4 this season. They still have good attacking options but are very short on quality in midfield and especially at the back.
Tom Huddlestone ? A ****ing masterclass in midfield football. I honestly never thought i'd ever see such wonderful football from a Hull city player. **** England, they'd only ruin him.
A great quote thats always stuck with me, certainly applies to Hudd. Been true all season but especially today. "Class is a hard thing to define, but once you see it, you never forget it" Grantland Rice. Just watching him trap a ball or a give a 5 yard pass, is better than anyone else doing it.
Tom Huddlestone ‏@Huddz8 13m Enjoyed the birthday songs from the hull faithful. Appreciated. Glad we could put a few smiles on the faces to end the year!! Legend.
I've seen performances like it against us but never from one of our own players. Sheer class from Thudd today and great to see.
He's a great player and a great player to watch. Not only for his passing, but for his overall game. I'm more surprised at how good his defensive and breaking up play. Along with his awareness and positioning. If he had a little more pace, he'd be unbelievable. You can see he is getting fitter game by game.
Always thought that Parker was the best midfielder I had seen at City since starting watching in 1980 (although that view is probably clouded by his performances at Forest and Villa). But Thudd is different class. You have to pinch yourself that such a player is in the colours.
Welcome to the board! Especially for when we got him for such a small fee, I think Livermore would be a steal at £3.5m!
