West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Hull City

The Line-ups

WBA – Kiely; Hoefkens, Barnett, Albrechtson, Robinson; Gera, Koren, Greening, Morrison; Bednar, Phillips. (Miller, Teixiari, Moore, Pele, Brunt)

Hull City – Myhill; Ricketts, Turner, Brown, Dawson; Garcia, Ashbee, Okocha, Pedersen; Folan, Campbell (Tyler, Walton, France, Bridges, Marney)

The Match

West Bromwich Albion were looking to halt an alarming run of form that had seen them drop out of the top two and fall four points behind second placed Bristol City, having only won one of the last five league games. Hull City on the other-hand were unbeaten in five, with just the home defeat to the baggies in the last eleven games, however they had only managed to draw the previous three matches.

Statistically, the omens didn’t look good for the Tigers given that the hosts were prolific goalscorers at The Hawthorns where they had only suffered one defeat, as well as the fact that City were pretty profligate on their travels, only managing 11 goals.

Phil Brown signaled his intent with an attacking line-up that certainly increased the optimism amongst a large travelling support. Early stages and City were showing no signs of being overawed by their opponents, and whilst not giving Dean Kiely too much to do, they were knocking the ball about well and not allowing the albion to play. The referee was quick to point out that he wouldn’t allow it to be an overly physical game, pulling up Okocha and Folan for early fouls, harshly booking the latter.

Albion were hardly justifying the position of the divisions best footballing team, which has been lauded upon them by many pundits and supporters this term and indeed City’s play was the better in the opening stages. A rare threat saw Zoltan Gera drag a shot just wide of the post with Boaz Myhill well beaten. This looked as though it would instigate some home dominance but shortly afterwards Hull City got the goal their approach to the game deserved. Jay-Jay Okocha played through a superb ball to Frazier Campbell, who had Henrik Pedersen in acres of space to his right, but instead produced a sublime lob which gave Kiely absolutle no chance. It was a moment of real class from the youngster that belied his modest age.

The goal seemed to resuscitate Albion and they almost responded immediately. Jonathan Greenings free kick was headed home by Zoltan Gera but the Hungarian’s joy was cut short by the offside flag. The last 10 minutes of the half saw incessant pressure on Boaz Myhills goal and City faced a hard task to take their lead into the interval. The equaliser duly came three minutes before the break when Kevin Phiilips, who had been fairly anonymous to this point, chipped a superb pass onto the head of Roman Bednar. Albion looked to have found their stride now, but City managed to hold on until half-time. However, the manner in which West Brom finished the half was certainly ominous and gave the impression that the Tigers would face a tough time of it in the second half.

City started the second period well having re-gained their composure after being put under intense pressure before the break and albion were again toiling against Phil Browns well organised team. City did play some neat football, but to get a result here required professionalism. City attempted to break down any meaningful attack by the baggies by whatever means necessary and as a result conceded a number of free-kicks and picked up a few bookings. They were not here just to stop albion playing though and continued to counter-attack well. It looked for all the world that Campbell would score his second, when a long punt by Bo myhill into the path of Caleb Folan, drew Dean Kiely out of his area. The ball fell to Campbell with the goal seemingly at his mercy but his half-volleyed effort was heroically headed to safety by Leon Barnett.

Midway through the half the Baggies brought on new loan signing from Aston Villa, Luke Moore alongside another premier league loanee Ishmael Miller, however this still failed to lift the home side who were finding the Tigers in stubborn and determined mood. Seven minutes from time and City hit a sucker punch. Caleb Folan, whose performance had been quite subdued, probably owing to that early booking, got away down the right flank. He initially had no-one to square it to but cut inside to the edge of the box before rifling into the bottom corner. The delirium amongst the City fans suggested they were on the verge of a tremendous if unexpected victory.

There was very nearly a late sting in the tail when Luke Moore turned and then outpaced Sam Ricketts before a superb cross across the face of goal which Gera inexplicably blasted over the bar from about two yards out. What few home supporters were left at this point headed for the exits, resigned to the fact that their promotion push was going to be dented further after a terrific performance from Hull City.

Attendance

22,716

Referee

S Tanner – 6

Pedantic at times, too quick to book Folan early on. Got decisions wrong for both sides, improved a little in the second half.

Hull man of the match

Frazier Campbell – Top quality goal and terrific workrate. A real star in the making.

West Brom man of the match

Leon Barnett was the only defender who seemed to be able to live with the power and pace of Campbell and Folan, terrific goal-saving header.

Atmosphere

Excellent. The home fans are amongst the most vocal in this league, although that drum does get a little irritating. Noisy 20 minute rendition of ‘when the stripes go marching in’. The City fans were equally noisy and unlike in home matches, there was very little criticism or impatience towards our players.

Hulls performance

Little short of fantastic. They knew if they came here to stifle the match it would have been lambs to the slaughter. West Brom looked a little surprised with the swagger in which we attacked them. Their support thought we were a little physical, but they must be used to getting easier rides than what they got today. Terrific effort from the lads.

West Broms performance

They hardly looked like a team with ambitions of Premier League football. They appeared to be caught out by our attempt to attack them and they didn’t really know how to come at us. They played quite a lot of direct football which didn’t suit the players they have. They undoubtedly have the best forward line in the football league but on yesterdays performance they looked distinctly average elsewhere on the pitch.

Player ratings

Myhill – 6 – Surprisingly little to do and had no real chance with the goal. Distribution a lot better though and defence looked better organised than of late

Dawson – 7- A good return to the team. Picked up a booking for a strong tackle in a committed display

Ricketts – 7- Calm, composed, defended well

Brown – 6 – Improved after shaky showing aginst Colchester. Defended well on the whole although positional sense poor at times, playing Bednar on-side for goal.

Turner – 7 – Another good display against a formidable strike force.

Pedersen – 7 – Somewhat of an unsung hero since his return to the side. Incredibly versatile and does a job wherever he plays. Made some good forays forward in the first half and good in the tackle.

Okocha – 7 – always a threat going forward. Not a tackler, but won some challenges in the second half and superb pass for the goal.

Ashbee – 8 – Superb display. Commanded the midfield which was vital against such opposition. Tackled well and played some nice passes. His partnership with okocha is a nice mixture of flair and guile.

Garcia – 6 – Absence from the side has upset his rhythm and he looked lost at times

Campbell – 8 – Fantastic goal. Chases every cause and never gave the baggies defenders a break.

Folan -7 – Booking definitely upset his game and he appeared scared to make any sort of challenge but terrific pace, vision and finish for the goal.

Walton, Marney – 6 – Did well when they came on to help keep citry driving forward and the home side at bay.

Verdict

A result which will surely now quieten even the loudest of doubters. The play-offs are looking more realistic by the game but another tough test awaits at Ashton Gate on Saturday. If City adopt the same attacking mentality they produced at the Hawthorns theres no reason why they shouldn’t come away with another great result.