Tigers maul Cardiff

Hull City recorded their first win in seven yesterday against a distinctly average Cardiff City.

Hull made two changes with Matt Duke starting in goal in the place of suspended Boaz Myhill, and Andy Dawson returned to left back. The absence in the City team was of Curtis Woodhouse, meaning Damien Delaney moved into midfield. A move that would have had many City fans worried, but what a game Damien had! Sergio Leite, Keith Andrews and Jason Price all returned to the bench.

The game had a slow start with both teams passing the ball around in the middle of the park. Cardiff tried to get forward but any crosses were comfortably dealt with by Cort and Collins.

City’s first attack came when Delaney’s ball into the area was poorly cleared. Paynter headed the ball down for Fagan, but he snatched at the shot and sent it wide of the post.

Cameron Jerome and Billy Paynter both had chances but failed to either connect or to get any real power behind their respective efforts.

Near the half hour mark, Koumas came into life. A mazy run towards the edge of the box beat three men, but his shot was well pushed away for a corner by Duke diving to his left. From the corner, Koumas received the ball but drilled a shot wide of the post. Cardiff’s two best chances of the first half.

Darren Purse was cautioned on forty minutes for a late tackle on Craig Fagan near the corner flag. The referee let Hull play on, but Barmby’s cross was poor and unable to find anyone in the middle.

Both teams remained unchanged for the start of the second half. A minute in, Collins handled near the edge of the area. Koumas struck the free-kick, but Duke made a smart stop tipping it over the crossbar.

Five minutes in, the ball broke to Paynter, but his drive from the edge of the area hit Loovens and deflected away from goal. Another Koumas free-kick went wide as both teams looked for the vital first goal.

Elliott replaced the disappointing Barmby on 60 minutes. A minute later, Cardiff were down to ten men. Darren Purse, already cautioned, was shown a second yellow card for dissent after again fouling Craig Fagan. This was Hull’s chance!

Neil Cox came on to replace Paul Parry, and on 69 minutes, the Tigers took the lead. Skilful play from Fagan on the right beat three men. His low cross found Paynter who had reacted quicker than the defender and goalkeeper to tap the ball into the bottom corner from three yards out.

City then started to fall back. Koumas again went narrowly wide with a free-kick, but this really looked the only way Cardiff were going to get back into this game.

With just over two minutes to go, the Tigers made sure of all three points. Elliott played a delightful cross-field ball to Fagan who was set clear. He steadied himself before firing past the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.

In added time, Paynter left the field to a standing ovation as he was replaced by Keith Andrews, which was a welcome return to see in a Tigers shirt once again after being injured since the third game of the season away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

With Cardiff looking beaten, it was a comfortable victory for the Tigers.

Player Ratings

Matt Duke – 7
This was the biggest game of his career and he couldn’t of had had it much easier. made two good stops from Koumas, but apart from the free-kicks was never really troubled in goal. Looks like Prudhoe (the goalkeeping coach) has done a good job on both Boaz and Duke.

Mark Lynch – 6
Didn’t notice him too much in the game, which must mean he didn’t do anything wrong. A steady game.

Andy Dawson – 7
Welcome return to the team. Some important challenges and turned defence into attack well for the second goal. His delivery was slightly poor and is something he should work on before next Saturday’s game.

Leon Cort – 8
Another great performance. Some telling challenges and never let the lively Jerome get a sniff of goal. Forming a good partnership with Collins, and will have been delighted with helping the team keep a clean sheet.

Sam Collins – 7
Gave away a few free-kicks in dangerous positions but apart from that looked sure and steady. Became captain when Barmby was substituted.

Ryan France – 6
Not as good as he was at QPR but tried to get down the right wing. Linked up well with Fagan down the channels in the second half. A good game.

Damien Delaney – 8
Wow ! Everyone would have feared when his name appeared on the team sheet in midfield. They don’t call him Jigsaw for a good reason ! Ran the midfield at times. Tackled well, covered good ground and even supported that attacks. Mopped up in-front of the back four and rarely looked flustered.

John Welsh – 7
Is getting better each game as he learns. Another good performace, and was helped with the presence of Delaney next to him.

Nick Barmby – 6
Not one of his better performances. Passing was a bit off and didn’t really get too involved. Closed down the opposition well. Subbed for Elliott after sixty minutes.

Craig Fagan – 8
Always gives full commitment. Winds up the defences, always ran and harassed the ball. Good skill to create the first and got a deserved goal for himself. Lets hope he can carry on playing like this.

Billy Paynter – 9
The star man. Held the ball up, linked up well with the team and got himself into good positions. Took the goal nicely, and lets hope he can keep on knocking them in. Only a young lad and shows a clear desire to learn and do well for the club.

Stuart Elliott – 7
Made one telling tackle and provided a delightful pass through to Fagan for his goal. Other than that, not really too involved in the game.

Manager Rating
7 – Has turned it around at the moment but the next three games are vital to how our season may pan out. Paynter looks a good buy, and lets hope he can build on this before the derby against Sheffield Wednesday next season.

Opponent Rating
6 – Didn’t think much to his team as they are meant to be play-off chasers. Needs to teach his team some discipline.

The fans
One of the best atmospheres for a long time. Both sets of fans allowed this to happen, and it really added a buzz to the game. Should be another good atmosphere on Saturday.