Darren Bent grabs a goal for the drown Hull City

HULL CITY 0

SUNDERLAND 1
- Bent 7'

**HULL'S two-year stay in the Barclays Premier League is effectively over after they were beaten at home by Sunderland yesterday thanks to Darren Bent's seventh-minute goal.

It could have been different had Jimmy Bullard scored a 41st-minute penalty rather than hit a post, while both sides were reduced to ten men in first-half injury-time after an off-the-ball clash between Jozy Altidore and Alan Hutton.

Hull could have had no complaints when the visitors took the lead in the seventh minute when Bent tapped in from a tight angle.

The Tigers should have drawn level in the 41st minute. Caleb Folan got away with a tug on Hutton, but the ball fell to Geovanni and he was sent tumbling in the area by Hull's Michael Turner.

Bullard is usually a confident penalty taker but the ball rebounded off Craig Gordon's post.

With the referee about to blow for half-time, both sides were reduced to ten men. Altidore and Hutton challenged for the ball near the byline, with the Sunderland defender then foolishly throwing the ball at the head of his opponent.

Altidore responded by headbutting Hutton, earning an immediate red card. Referee Lee Probert waited for Hutton to receive treatment before, somewhat harshly, also showing the Scot a red card.

The Tigers came close to levelling in the 72nd minute. Andy Dawson's shot did not look like it would trouble Gordon but bounced up, forcing the keeper to punch away.

The Hull fans gave a hearty cheer when Steve Bruce was sent to the stands for one comment too many to the officials, but they knew their fate and the final whistle brought resignation as a number of home players slumped to the turf.

Squads:

Hull City: Duke, Mendy, Gardner, Mouyokolo, Dawson, Barmby, Boateng, Bullard, Geovanni, Folan, Altidore. Subs: Myhill, Fagan, Cullen, Kilbane, Sonko, Olofinjana, Cairney

Sunderland: Gordon, Hutton, Turner, Kilgallon, Richardson, Campbell, Henderson, Meyler, Malbranque, Bent, Jones. Subs: Carson, Bardsley, Da Silva, Zenden, Mwaruwari, Cana, Ferdinand

Aston Villa continue to a victory, beat Hull City 2-0

HULL CITY 0

ASTON VILLA 2
- Agbonlahor 13,
- Milner (pen) 76

**Hull were thrust deeper into the relegation mire after goals from Gabby Agbonlahor and James Milner secured a 2-0 win for Aston Villa.
The visitors showed greater energy and desire in the opening stages, with Hull keeper Matt Duke forced into early action by James Milner and Stiliyan Petrov before the Tigers could even muster an attack. Indeed, it took Villa just 13 minutes to open the scoring as John Carew flicked on for Gabby Agbonlahor to race away from the defenders and slide the ball beyond Duke.

However, Hull's response belied their poor form and league position as they pinned Villa back and should have been level on no fewer than three occasions as first Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and then Kevin Kilbane were denied before superb double save from Brad Friedel stopped Tom Cairney and Kilbane's rebound.

Hull interim boss Dowie would have been worried as his side continued to let chances slip through their grasp at the start of the second period and they were made to pay as Villa upped the tempo after an hour. Their increased pressure was rewarded fifteen minutes from time when James Milner's marauding run was stopped illegally in the box by George Boateng and the referee pointed to the spot. Milner dusted himself down to slot the penalty beyond the dive of Duke to double the Villains lead and settle any lingering doubts.

The result sees Villa climb above Liverpool and keep their hopes of a Champions League place alive, but it is another blow to Hull's survival hopes who stay three points adrift of safety.

Source : Clubcall

Line-Ups:

Hull City: Duke; Mouyokolo, Sonko, Dawson, McShane; Cairney (Geovanni 70), Boateng, Fagan; Jan Vennegoor (Altidore 55)

Aston Villa: Friedel; Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Cuellar; Petrov (Sidwell 84), Milner, Downing, Young; Agbonlahor, Carew (Heskey 90)

Alexander twice pinalty, Paterson and Elliott scored

**The theme tune of The Great Escape rang out around the KC Stadium before kick-off this afternoon, but come full-time it was Burnley who were celebrating. Not that either side are likely to escape the relegation zone now, the blow of West Ham’s home win effectively putting the kibosh on any lingering hopes of salvation.

Still Burnley will have felt the exhilaration of a win – their first away victory of the season – in a game that Hull, with the slightly better form of the two sides, had been expected to swing. But the pendulum took an unexpected and very decided turn in Burnley’s favour, and after two penalties, Iain Dowie’s team left the pitch looking dazed and confused.

Hull had started the game so confident and bright. Little more than two minutes in and Jozy Altidore chipped a lovely floating ball across goal to meet Kevin Kilbane’s head, the Ireland international putting the ball away to score his first goal in 26 months. What a wait, but what sweet timing.

Burnley’s defence clearly had not learned much since their 6-1 drubbing at home to Manchester City last week. Altidore had a chance to score a second for Hull as he turned the head-bandaged Michael Duff, only for his shot to be parried away by the keeper, Brian Jensen. Jimmy Bullard caught the rebound, but volleyed the ball over the crossbar.

With Hull driving one-way traffic, any chance of a Burnley comeback looked unlikely. But Brian Laws’s side kept chipping away, and all of a sudden the visitors struck gold. Tyrone Mears’s cross came for Martin Paterson who slid the ball under the arm of Boaz Myhill.

In the second half Burnley grew in confidence, Duff just missing a perfect chance to give his side the lead as he failed to convert with Paterson’s cross despite being completely unmarked. On the sidelines Laws drove his head into his hands, doubled over in disbelief, but as the game wore on it became apparent that it was Hull who were falling apart.

Minutes later Dowie could hardly believe his eyes as Ibrahima Sonko brought down Duff, gifting Burnley a penalty. The captain, Graham Alexander, stepped up and slotted the ball home to put Burnley into the lead. Five minutes later and David Nugent raced through, Bernard Mendy panicked and tugged him down. The referee, Martin Atkinson, once again pointed to the spot, and Alexander booted home his second of the day.

Hull attempted a late revival, but deep into injury time it was Burnley who were the strongest, Wade Elliott curling home his side’s fourth goal of the day.

Team Line-Ups:

Hull City: Myhill, McShane (Giovanni 67), Sonko, Mouyokolo, Dawson (Barmby 51), Mendy, Bullard, Boateng, Kilbane; Altidore, Fagan (Vennegoor 74)

Burnley: Jensen; Mears, Duff (Caldwell 85), Cort, Fox; Paterson, Cork, Alexander, Elliott, Flet

Jimmy Bullard and Craig Fagan scored gave Hull City a comfortable .

HULL CITY 2
- Bullard (pen) 16,
- Fagan 48

FULHAM 0

**A penalty from Jimmy Bullard and a header from Craig Fagan gave Hull City a comfortable win over a disappointing Fulham side.
Iain Dowie's side earned themselves a vital three points that takes them level on points with West Ham in 17th place, while Fulham have dropped into the bottom half and ends a week that Roy Hodgson's side will look to forget.

The opening goal came after seventeen minutes as Chris Smalling brought down Jozy Altidore in the box and Chris Foy had no hesitation in awarding the home side a penalty. Jimmy Bullard confidently dispatched the penalty into the top corner to put Hull City ahead.

Fulham were almost level on twenty-nine minutes as Zoltan Gera met a corner with a well directed header but George Boateng was on the line to clear at the near post and deny the Hungarian.

Four minutes after the restart Hull doubled their lead when Fagan headed home Dean Marney's cross from six yards out, giving Mark Schwarzer no chance.

The Tigers defended well from then on and gave Fulham very little chance in front of goal. A third goal for Hull almost came with twenty minutes to go as Jimmy Bullard volleyed inches wide from eighteen yards after a swift Hull City counter attack but Dowie's men held firm for a morale-boosting win.

Source : http://www.clubcall.com

Team Line-ups:

Hull City: Myhill, McShane, Mouyokolo, Sonko, Kilbane, Garcia, Boateng, Bullard, Marney, Fagan, Altidore. The subs are Duke, Barmby, Geovanni, Mendy, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Olofinjana, Cairney.

Fulham:Schwarzer, Shorey, Hangeland, Baird, Konchesky, Riise, Smalling, Dikgacoi, Davies, Gera, Dempsey. On the bench for Fulham are: Zuberbuhler, Okaka, Nevland, Hughes, Etuhu, Stoor, Greening.

Impressive Jozy Altidore : Hull City 2-1 Manchester City

Hull followed up Tuesday's draw with Premier League leaders Chelsea by defeating Manchester City at the KC Stadium to climb out of the relegation zone.

Phil Brown's side had not won since November but were buoyed by their performance against the Blues and deservedly took a 31st-minute lead through the impressive Jozy Altidore.

City then found themselves two down nine minutes after the break thanks to a rocket from George Boateng and, although Emmanuel Adebayor quickly pulled one back, they rarely threatened to equalise.

The talking point before the game was the inclusion in the City side of Wayne Bridge after two months out with a knee injury and amid the fall-out from John Terry's alleged affair with his former partner.

Craig Bellamy and youngster Dedryk Boyata also returned to the City starting XI while January signings Adam Johnson and Patrick Vieira were among the substitutes.

Hull boss Phil Brown named an unchanged XI from the side that drew with Chelsea.

Having booed Terry relentlessly when Chelsea visited the KC Stadium in midweek, the Hull fans also subjected Bridge to some taunts.

It was the hosts, clearly buoyed by their performance against the league leaders, who began the brighter and Altidore won a free-kick 20 yards out when he was felled by Kolo Toure, who picked up a yellow card.

The USA striker had looked lively from the start but his set-piece was deflected behind by the visitors' wall.

Boyata looked nervy and he became the second City defender to be booked inside 20 minutes when he pulled back Altidore after the striker had out-muscled him.

Stephen Hunt's free-kick from the left was headed away but, when it was launched back in, Steven Mouyokolo headed on for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who fired wide of the far post from 10 yards.

City simply could not get into their rhythm and it was Hull who deservedly took the lead in the 31st minute.

Boateng played the ball into Vennegoor of Hesselink just inside the area and his lay-off was expertly curled round Shay Given by Altidore for his first Premier League goal.

The visitors finally threatened in the final moments of the half but Mouyokolo did well to block Carlos Tevez's close-range effort and Bridge then saw his shot saved by Boaz Myhill after a neat move down the left.

Hull again came out of the blocks the faster at the start of the second half and Altidore felt he should have had a penalty for a challenge by Nigel de Jong but referee Phil Dowd waved play on.

But the home fans did not have long to wait for a second, and there cannot have been many better goals scored at the KC Stadium.

Hunt's corner, which came after Bridge was beaten for pace by Craig Fagan, was cleared but only as far as Boateng 25 yards out and his beautifully-struck volley flew past Given.

That gave Hull breathing space after only nine minutes of the half but five minutes later City were back in it.

Johnson came on for his debut in place of Stephen Ireland and it was his corner, after Myhill had pushed Tevez's shot round the past, that eventually resulted in Adebayor netting from inside the six-yard box.

City boss Roberto Mancini chose that moment to reintroduce former Arsenal midfielder Vieira to English football in place of Bellamy.

The momentum was now with the visitors and Myhill had to be alert to tip Johnson's free-kick behind while Amr Zaki replaced Altidore for Hull.

The home side were mostly playing on the break and Zaki got away down the left but his shot was easily saved by Given.

Bridge's afternoon ended five minutes early as Mancini sent on Martin Petrov as a final throw of the dice and Johnson then almost caught out Myhill with a cross from the right that the keeper was grateful to see drop behind for a corner.

Tevez's snapshot drew another stop from Myhill while a late barrage ended with Adebayor poking a tame shot at the keeper as Hull celebrated a priceless win.

Teams :

Hull City: Myhill, McShane, Gardner, Mouyokolo, Dawson, Fagan, Boateng, Cairney, Hunt, Altidore (Zaki 66 '), Vennegoor of Hesselink (Kilbane 83')

Manchester City: Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Boyata, Bridge, Ireland (Johnson 56 '), De Jong, Barry, Bellamy (Vieira 60), Tevez, Adebayor.

Source : http://www.rte.ie

Mouyokolo first goal make a top table tight competition

Hull City 1
- Mouyokolo 30

Chelsea 1
- Drogba 42



Drogba, in his first Blues match for a month, snared a point for the table-toppers when he drilled home a free-kick just before the interval.

A battling performance from relegation contenders Hull City saw them claim a well-deserved point from a 1-1 draw with Premier League leaders Chelsea at the KC Stadium.

Hull take huge credit for that, since they did much more than resist. This was the 11th consecutive game without a win in all competitions for Phil Brown's side, but it felt more like a fresh start. Composed and content as Carlo Ancelotti attempted to appear afterwards, his discomfort was revealed in the decisions he took during the match.

Hull took a surprise lead on the half hour mark with their first real chance of the game. Hunt curled a corner in from the right for Mouyokolo who rose above Ballack and nodded it into the net. This is the first goal for the Tigers Mouyokolo.

The away side continued to press for an equalizer and got their reward on 42 minutes. Drogba curled a free-kick from the left of the penalty area through the Tigers wall and past the outstretched Myhill into the far corner of the net.

There was an understandable period of adjustment as the Ivorian struggled to get back up to speed after his time on international duty. But he showed his quality with a well-taken free-kick just before half-time

Hull continued to battle well and deserved their point, which could be crucial in their fight to avoid relegation

Six minutes before dispersal, chance through Ashley Cole, Chelsea still failed to rip the nets Myhill. Similarly heading John Terry is still rising. Sturridge strikes in injury time brilliantly saved by Myhill, dispelled Chelsea hope to bring home the full point.

With only adding one point The Blues are now different within two points of Manchester United, making competition at the top to be tight

Teams :

Hull: Myhill; Gardner, Mouyokolo, Dawson, McShane (Zayate 89 '), Cairney, Boateng, Hunt, Fagan, Altidore (Kilbane 85'), Vennegoor (Zaki 65 ')

Chelsea: Cech; Terry, Carvalho, Zhirkov (A. Cole 80 '), Abidal, Deco, Ballack (Joe Cole 72'), Malouda, Lampard, Drogba, Anelka (Sturridge 80 ')

Wayne Rooney rescued Manchester United

WAYNE Rooney rescued Manchester United after almost playing the Barclays Premier League champions.

Rooney gave United the lead in first-half stoppage time at the KC Stadium but then gifted Hull a route back with the mistake that led to Craig Fagan's penalty equaliser.

Although the time seemed disappointed with the mistakes he made, but the MU player's numbered ten back in control of himself and turn disappointment into a force to rise.

Rooney plays a major role in the presence of two additional goals that eventually led forces Old Trafford to win 3-1.