Tigers sneak victory

A goal three minutes from time by substitute Jason Price was enough to earn Hull City all three points at the KC yesterday afternoon. The result was perhaps slightly harsh on Sheffield Wednesday, who might have merited a draw in a poor match between to battling teams.

Hull City made just one change which was expected, as goalkeeper Boaz Myhill replaced Matt Duke after being suspended for the visit of Cardiff City. Sergio Leite was dropped from the bench.

The Tigers tried to make a lively start to the match. Within minutes, Delaney broke up play before threading a ball through to Craig Fagan. His ball over to Paynter forced him out wider than he would have liked, and his cross was easily dealt with. Wednesday’s first effort on goal came when Glenn Whelan picked up the ball in midfield before firing a 20 yard shot wide of the post.

A free-kick provided the next best opportunity with quarter of an hour gone. Barmby’s delivery found the head of Collins, but he headed over from eight yards out.

O’Brien and Peacock tried to create a chance for Wednesday, but nice interchange and a weaving run that almost worked was brilliantly halted by Sam Collins just before O’Brien was about to pull the trigger.

The long throws of Sam Collins are always going to pose a threat when used. Cort managed to flick one on, but Simek just beat Barmby to the ball, denying him from connecting with a header.

David Graham went narrowly wide when he was set up by Daryl Murphy. His quick fire turn and shot went narrowly over the bar.

The game started to become a battle in the midfield, with no team exerting a significant control on the game and neither managing to produce any real quality in the attacking third of the park. A looping header from Leon Cort and a low drive from John Welsh didn’t cause Weaver too many problems, and the teams went in goalless at the break.

Shefield Wednesday immediately made a second half change, with the dangerous Chris Brunt (was rather surprised he wasn’t starting) replacing injured captain Glenn Whelan.

Wednesday began lively with Brunt, but his run was halted by Lynch. A free-kick awarded to Hull was poorly delivered, allowing the Owls to counter but Cort got back to stop any danger.

The first change for the Tigers came on the hour mark, when Jason Price came on for Mark Lynch. Ryan France was moved back to right back. A few minutes later, Stuart Elliott came on to replace Billy Paynter.

A cross from Jason Price almost went straight in, but Weaver adjusted to tip over the bar. The resulting corner was headed over by commanding centre back Leon Cort.

Sheffield Wednesday made further changes with quarter of an hour remaining, with Christopher Eagles replacing Lee Peacock, and Gabriel Agbonlahor replacing David Graham.

Sheffield Wednesday then had their best chance. A cross looped over the Myhill flapped at and missed. The ball was falling to Agbonlahor but a wonderful last ditch clearence by leon Cort kept us in the game – and how vital that challenge was.

Stuart Green replaced Nicky Barmby with ten minutes to go.

Hull thought they had won it with five minutes remaining. A cross from Welsh found Elliott rising at the back post. His perfect header flew into the net, but celebrations were short lived by a dubious offside flag. Two minutes later, it didn’t matter.

Good play from Price earned a corner. Green’s delivery was flicked on by Delaney and Jason Price steered his shot in from ten yards out. City had to hold on for five minutes.

They almost failed to. Coughlan lay on the ground in the City area after challenging for the ball. The ball broke to him, but his stab at the ball somehow went wide of the post. With that gone, the Tigers got the vital win they needed, and were able to move seven points clear of the dreaded relegation area.

Player Ratings

Bo Myhill – 7
Not too much to do. Wasn’t really tested with a good shot on target and was able to watch most efforts fly past his post. Flapped at one cross that almost cost us a goal, but apart from that had a relatively easy and calm game.

Mark Lynch – 6
Tried to get forward but not to much avail. Defended well when called upon but some of his decision making is sometimes suspect.

Andy Dawson – 7
So glad he is now back at left-back. Much needed. Delivery though was nowhere near his best and was very poor. Didn’t get forward too much which wont have pleased Taylor, but again did what he had to when called upon.

Sam Collins – 8
My man of the match. Defended brilliantly making great interceptions and clearing the ball away. Long throws are such a bonus (like having Andy Holt back) and always such a danger. Went close with a few headers from corners. Looks to have fitted in brilliantly with the team.

Leon Cort – 8
Another great performance. Never flustered by any of the Wednesday attackers. Made a magnificent interception to deny Agbonlahor of scoring, and that interception allowed us to take all three points rather than none.

Ryan France – 6
Not one of his better performances. Had a few runs but delivery wasn’t great. Moved to right-back on 60 minutes and played well, linking up down the right. I would expect more from him though.

John Welsh – 7
Battled away very well and gets better every game he plays. Looks to be a very good signing by Peter Taylor. I think he is being helped by the presence of Damien next to him in midfield.

Damien Delaney – 7
Another good performance in his new midfield role. Brakes up the play, protects his back four but also gets forward very quickly to assist attacks. He could become a revelation in this new position.

Nick Barmby – 6
A poor performance from the skipper. His delivery wasn’t the best from free-kicks and made a few stray passes. His performance has started to drop again after some impressive displays. Lets hope he can start to regain his form.

Craig Fagan – 7
Never stops running. Always a threat to the opposition although he didn’t get the ball down the channels as much as he usually likes to. The new striker partnership, although they didn’t score on Saturday, is looking to be a good one.

Billy Paynter – 7
Another good performance. Didn’t really have a chance but battled away well and tried to cause problems. Forming a good understanding with Fagan.

Jason price – 7
Making sure he isn’t a forgotten man. Came on and played well, running at the defence and scoring the vital goal. A good effort from a man returning from injury, and will be hoping to have made a statement to Peter Taylor that he is still around and wants to play and score.

Stuart Elliott – N/A
Unlucky to have his goal disallowed for what looked a dubious offside. Is starting to look better again when he comes on after an hour against a tiring defence. Lets hope he can keep on building on this and improve his overall performances and get him back to his best.
Not really on long enough for a rating but his corner led to the goal, and his delivery was much better than anything else we had seen all day.

Manager Rating
7 – Changed things later on in the game, and combined with his substitutions, these changes obviously worked as we managed to sneak the victory. Now going back to one of his old clubs in Brighton, he will be looking to build upon these performances and get another victory.

Opponent Rating
6 – Came to the KC to attack. Wasn’t settling for a draw and may have been unlucky to go back to Sheffield with nothing to show for his teams efforts. Was rushed to hospital in the second half.