Leicester v Hull – Review

First of all, YES! Hull City recorded their first win of the season a they overcame Leicester City last night. With City having only picked up one point from the previous eighteen, it was important for the team to start picking up results, and thanks to a Michael Bridges wonder strike, Phil Parkinson now has his first win in charge of Hull City.

After Dean Marney’s poor performance at Birmingham, Parkinson dropped the midfielder to the bench as Ryan France featured on the left of midfield. That was the only change to the first team although the City bench saw the inclusion of Nick Barmby and loan winger Mark Yeates.

Leicester had the early pressure as five corners had to be defended in the opening ten minutes. Sam Collins and Michael Turner were doing their best to keep the ball out of the net, although Collins tried his hardest to head the ball into his own net when making one clearance – I`m not sure how it didn’t fly into the net? Anything that the defenders didn’t deal with, Myhill was always there to save the team.

Poor control from Michael Bridges cost City their best chance after good strength from Forster had set up the former Premiership striker. At the other end, Leicester were still having the majority of the play but Myhill wasn’t being tested.

Leicester City midfielder Stephen Hughes then had the best chance of the game so far. Corners were looking Leicester’s best chance of scoring and after a poor clearance from Sam Collins, it looked like Hughes was going to side foot the ball into the net from close range. However, Myhill reacted quickly to smother the ball at the feet of Hughes and deflect away what had looked a certain opening goal. City were living dangerously.

City’s only other chance of the half fell to Nicky Forster whom, after being played in by Bridges, forced a good save from Henderson in the Leicester goal.

The half-time interval came, but standing in the City end, you wouldn’t have thought it. The crowd didn’t stop singing, and this continued throughout the second half – it was a terrific tribute to our traveling support and I’d have no doubt we raised the team into getting a performance.

The second half saw an immediate change, with Nicky Forster replaced by Dean Marney, Marney moved to the right wing whilst Craig Fagan took up a more natural striking role.

Bo Myhill then carried on where he left off, saving a header from a corner before Iain Hume forced a fine diving save from the shot-stopper.

With Myhill keeping the Tigers in the game, City then took the lead. With Bridges controlling the ball thirty yards from goal, he noticed he had no support so went for goal. His left foot strike found the top corner past the despairing dive of the keeper to send the City faithful wild with delight. Could this be the first win? With thirty minutes left on the clock, it started to go very slowly!

Leicester continued to have chances but poor finishing and good positioning from Myhill kept the ball out of the City net. City pushed for another goal, but Livermore’s placed shot couldn`t find the bottom corner of the net.

The fourth official came out to the touchline and the City crowd thought it was soon to be over, only to see four minutes held high. Two minutes in, and it should have been game over. Bridges played the ball through to Fagan but a shocking (and I mean shocking) touch from Fagan when twenty yards out from goal with no defender anywhere near him let Henderson pick up the ball – would it cost us?

Heading into the fourth minute of added time, a free-kick and then a corner put added pressure on the team as we moved into a fifth minute of added on time until the ref blew the full-time whilst and Hull City had won!

As the player’s walked over to the traveling support in the corner, you could see how much it meant to the team. We had got our win – now bring on the Wednesday!

Player Ratings

Bo Myhill – 9
Pulled off a string of fine saves as he kept City in the game. Another terrific performance.

Sam Ricketts – 7
Didn’t notice him too much which would suggest he had a solid game. Ricketts was up against a tricky opponent but handled him better as the game progressed.

Andy Dawson – 8
A much improved performance and now he doesn’t have to concentrate on being captain, perhaps his performances can improve. Solid at the back against Josh Low, but didn’t have too many opportunities to get forward.

Michael Turner – 7
Played well with Collins and much improved. Dived into one tackle and was left behind on the floor. The sooner he stops doing that, the better!

Sam Collins – 8
A terrific performance and the pick of the backline. A one man defence with Myhill at times, but he has suprised me with his performances. He is certainly taking his chance in the first team.

Craig Fagan – 6
He wasn’t involved for long periods of the game although he was more noticeable up-front. Was lucky that his dreadful control in stoppage time didn’t come back to haunt him.

Ryan France – 7
Played better than others have on the left wing but when Yeates is fit, I expect France to move to the bench, although I’d prefer to see him on the right. Another solid display.

Ian Ashbee – 7
Captain fantastic inspired the team again. His leadership is something we have missed and when the goal went in, he got everyone to come together to celebrate. A solid display and you wouldn’t have thought he’d been missing for almost a year.

David Livermore – 7
I’ve been impressed with this guy and he played well again. A calming presence that we have always needed and I always feel comfortable with him in possession.

Nicky Forster – 7
Subbed at half-time, perhaps tactical as I don’t think he is injured? Only one shot of notice but forced a good save from the goalkeeper

Michael Bridges – 8
A terrific strike won City the game. If he can do that more often, he will have repaid his transfer fee. Please strike another one against Sheffield Wednesday!

Dean Marney – 6
Did better than he did at Birmingham by playing in a more natural right midfield position. He didn’t do much though, with my only memory a rugby tackle off the ball on a Leicester City midfielder.

Manager Rating
8 – He finally picked up his first victory, but we can’t go backwards now and we must get a result against Sheffield Wednesday!

Opponent Rating
7 – His side only looked like scoring from a corner kick and once City had dealt with those, they didn’t pose too many problems. Mid-table should be Leicester’s aim.

The Crowd
One word – SUPERB. The traveling fans really got behind their team and showed Leicester how to support a team. We were fantastic and I’d have no doubt in saying our twelfth man performance helped raise the team. if only the KC could be so vocal, we may start winning at home!