A shambolic first-half defensive display and a trigger-happy referee helped Hull on their way to a 4-2 defeat to Middlesbrough at the KC Stadium. Last weeks' 3-1 win over Doncaster raised hope that the Tigers' home fortunes were turning around, and it looked promising after Jay Simpson prodded in from close range to give City a 1-0 lead inside 3 minutes. This was to be one of very few positives from the game as an atrocious couple of minutes saw Scott McDonald capitalise on two defensive errors to not only level, but fire Middlesbrough in front. The first came from Anthony Gerrard as his failure to make the clearance ended in McDonald getting in 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper. Mannone got a hand to it but couldn't prevent the ball from hitting the back of the net. Only two minutes later, McDonald bagged a brace, after Mannone, fearing penalisation for a back-pass, chose to try and clear the ball with his feet, and in failing to do so, gifted McDonald an easy second. It looked to be the end of the defensive frailties as City began to get more of a foothold in the game. This was to be short-lived, however, as a mixture of poor communication and a moment of madness from Andy Dawson turned an easy gather for Vito Mannone into a simple tap in for Julio Arca. With the Italian stopper only inches from collecting the ball, Dawson slid the ball into the path of Arca, gifting a rare goal to the 30-year-old Argentinian. Shortly after a solo effort from Robert Koren was turned around the post by Boro keeper Paul Smith, a contender for Hull City player of the season, Liam Rosenior, was forced into substitution after coming off much worse in a 50-50 challenge with an opposing player. He was replaced by Aaron McLean, as City switched to a 4-3-3, with James Chester moving to right-back. As the first half drew to a close, there was still time for McDonald to finish his hat-trick, turning Andy Dawson with ridiculous ease, leaving Mannone with no chance. The Italian seemed to aggravate his shoulder injury in attempting to deny McDonald his third, and was subsequently replaced by Matt Duke at the interval. At this point, the City support were suffering a terrible de ja vu, having been 1-0 up against Burnley inside 3 minutes before being turned over 4-1 at the KC twelve months ago. As if their poor first half defensive display wasn't enough, referee Miller continuously blew his whistle if a City player as much as made contact with the opposition. They were often penalised for pushes and shoves that surely occur more than one hundred occasions every single match. Both the refereeing and the Tigers improved in the second half with Matty Fryatt lashing a left footed shot against the bar. That moment could have dramatically changed the game but it wasn't to be for the Tigers' top scorer. Two more chances were missed by Koren and Fryatt respectively as they continued to push for what would have been a miraculous recovery. Garcia was then replaced by Cairney before Anthony Gerrard scored a brilliant 30-yard drive after being laid off from a Koren free-kick. This sparked the City support into further life but it simply wasn't to be for the Tigers, who can perhaps count themselves a little lucky it wasn't worse after substitute Leroy Lita rattled the bar. City played the better football throughout the game but 15 minutes of defensive madness, in which 3 goals were conceded, cost them the game. This leaves the play-off push hanging in the balance, as despite only being one win away from the playoffs, three teams (Leeds, Forest & Burnley) now sit on sixty-six points and all benefit from a healthier goal difference. The Tigers face a tough trip to Loftus Road in two days time, which is expected to finally extinguish any hope City have left. However, unbeaten in sixteen away from home, you can never quite rule out the Tigers on the road. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Thought I'd give this report malarkey a go. I tried my best to stay unbiased, but probably failed to do so in the refereeing part Please don't refrain from saying it's **** (if it is) just thought it'd kill some time of my otherwise absolutely-****-all-to-do evening.
I have no highlights so I'm doing this from memory I barely remember the build-up to the first two goals, just being pissed off at Gerrard for the first and Mannone for the second Would he have been penalised if he caught it, do you reckon? That rule seems to have practically dissolved, except when it's a clear pass along the ground under no pressure.
i cant remember either to be honest, i just remember shouting nooo, when he passed it back, then the rest is a hazy memory..
This style reminds me of a young Tony Gubba, by that I mean when he wasn't quite 1. His prose then was utterly marvelous!!! http://www.tonygubba.co.uk/
And before anyone comes on and berates me I am joking in the latter part of my comment!! I thought it was a very good piece of reporting, and it should be brought to the attention of Mick, OLM. We can't be having literate poster on here! What would the neighbours think??? I wouldn't be able to hold my head up in our street!!! Well done D2D (P.s., how is R2D2 & C3PO?)
The second goal was more Dawson's fault than Mannone's, he was left high and dry by his defence all the first half.
I can't believe people where actually calling Mannone **** yesterday and blaming him for the goals... It was Gerrard and Dawson x3
He should have told Dawson to leave it though. When he was obviously going for the gather Mannone is usually a good communicator so what happened there made little sense.
Pretty much how i'd sum the game up, a shocking 20 minutes in defence cost us a game which in fairness we looked pretty bright going forward. A better report on the game than some of the clowns in the press give!
