Match Report; Bolton 4 -1 Hull

Hull dropped out of the automatic promotion places in the Championship after an early three-goal blitz from Bolton earned the hosts a 4-1 win at the Reebok Stadium. Darren Pratley grabbed the opener from close range, powering home a header after Chung-Yong Lee had picked him out with the cross . Lee was also involved in the next goal, the South Korea international playing the ball back to Mark Davies under pressure and he fired home from 20 yards, despite Tigers keeper David Stockdale getting a hand to the ball . Craig Dawson then made it 3-0 after just eight minutes, with the defender powering home a header despite the visitors' desperate attempts to scramble the ball off the line. Steve Bruce's side slowly improved after the break and manager's son Alex nodded a close-range header past the post after he had latched onto a Robbie Brady free-kick. Republic of Ireland international Brady then pulled a goal back midway through the second half with a whipped free-kick that went through the wall and found the bottom corner . But that proved to be brief respite for the visitors, with Dawson scoring his second of the afternoon as he flicked home via the post after latching onto Marcos Alonso's mishit shot .

Hull 2-0 Blackburn

Egyptian duo Gedo and Ahmed Elmohamady both struck as Hull City strengthened their automatic promotion charge against Blackburn Rovers. Gedo broke the deadlock by side-footing home Stephen Quinn's cross, his third goal in four games since signing on loan from Al Ahly. And Elmohamady sealed the points with a well-executed volley which gave Rovers keeper Jake Kean little chance. Blackburn's DJ Campbell mis-controlled from a great scoring position.Hull have won four of the last five league games and in Gedo and Elmohamady have found a potent scoring combination. Blackburn would have suffered a heavier defeat but for 22-year-old Kean, who produced excellent saves to deny David Meyler and Gedo before the latter scored in the 52nd minute. Robert Brady's corner fell to Stephen Quinn, whose fine cross into the middle allowed Gedo to side-foot back into the net. The busy Kean then produced another fine stop to deny Jack Hobbs from a corner before Hull establish added a second in the 67th minute. Brady's cross to the back post found Elmohamady who lashed the ball home first time to condemn Rovers to a first Championship defeat since 19 January.

Hull 1-0 Charlton

Gedo continued his impressive introduction to English football with the only goal of the game as Hull saw off Charlton to remain second in the Championship. The Egyptian, a deadline-day addition for the Tigers, scored as a substitute against Derby last time out and hit the target again on his full debut. The 33rd-minute winner was hardly a collector’s item, a scrambled close-range finish from a corner, but Hull were good value for three points in a match they largely dominated. The promotion-chasers came out aggressively, with Gedo’s compatriot Ahmed Elmohamady the favoured outlet on the right wing. He got to the byline in the third minute before cutting the ball across the six-yard box, where Michael Morrison got just enough on it to deflect it away from danger. Hull were inches away from the opener after seven minutes, Paul McShane’s cross finding David Meyler whose header was cleared off the line by Dale Stephens with keeper Ben Hamer beaten. Charlton began to settle and in the 20th minute Johnnie Jackson made a strong run towards the final third only to see his cross intercepted by Robbie Brady. Alex Bruce’s weak header allowed Stephens room to attack Hull through the middle but he was stopped dead by Meyler. Jackson’s left foot was looking Charlton’s best weapon, with a back-post cross and a teasing free-kick both causing awkward moments in the Hull box. But it was the hosts who took the lead in the 33rd minute after Gedo’s perseverance won a corner from the right. Brady delivered it, Hamer missed his punch and Gedo was on hand to bundle home from close range at the back post. Only a fine defensive header from Leon Cort prevented Hull making it two on the stroke of half-time, Brady and Stephen Quinn making space on the left before the ball made its way to Meyler at the edge of the box. The Irishman hit a fierce shot towards the centre of goal but Cort, against his former club, bravely got his head in the way. Just a minute had passed in the second half when Hull went close again. A Brady corner was again the cause but McShane produced an air-kick with the goal gaping. Hull were on the hunt for a second, Elmohamady giving Cedric Evina grief on the right and then drawing an unconvincing flap from Hamer. The home side’s Egyptian contingent grew to three when Ahmed Fathi replaced the injured McShane. But Hull’s rhythm was unaffected, Meyler stinging Hamer’s gloves with a half-volley and Gedo heading Elmohamady’s precision cross over. Charlton hit back on the counter in the 62nd minute, Chris Solly and Yann Kermorgant creating a shooting chance for Bradley Pritchard whose shot was low and wide. Pritchard’s chipped pass then handed Danny Haynes a chance from 12 yards but his first-time shot was straight at David Stockdale. Gedo missed out on a second when he ran the ball out attempting to round Hamer following Robert Koren’s weighted pass. Charlton almost stole an equaliser with five minutes left, Bradley Wright-Phillips teeing up fellow substitute Haynes for a near-post effort that was well kept out by Stockdale.

Hull 2-1 Derby

Ahmed Elmohamady's late header snatched three points to send Hull second in the Championship and deny stubborn Derby. After a poor first-half display, Hull took the lead shortly after the break when substitute Gedo headed home with just his second touch of the ball. Jamie Ward punished goalkeeper David Stockdale's mistake to put the visitors level with six minutes remaining. But Elmohamady fired in from a corner before Derby's Gareth Roberts was sent off for a lunge on Nick Proschwitz. It was a miserable end to an evening that began promisingly for a Derby side that enjoyed the better of the early exchanges. They could not make their pressure count through as Conor Sammon poked wide and a last-ditch tackle by Jack Hobbs barred Ward's way to goal. City sparked into life as the half ended with Stephen Quinn's near-post header skimming just wide of Adam Legzdins' right-hand post. Egypt international Gedo's header was more precise as he nodded Robbie Brady's delivery back across the Derby goalkeeper for the opener. The Egyptian came close to a second with a volley just over, but Derby pressed forward and Sammon thumped the underside of the bar before almost inadvertently turning in Ward's effort. Ward's industry was rewarded when Stockdale spilled Craig Bryson's cross to gift him a simple tap-in. But Derby were again undone in the air as Elmohamady converted from another Brady delivery before Roberts was dismissed and Proschwitz picked himself up to miss a fine chance to make the game safe.

Brighton 1-0 Hull

Former Spain international Vicente fired Brighton to within two points of the play-offs after a 1-0 win over Hull, who missed the chance to go second. The 31-year-old midfielder has struggled with a constant stream of injuries since Seagulls boss Gus Poyet persuaded him to move to the south coast 18 months ago after 11 years with Valencia. But when he does get on the pitch, Vicente is a class act and he proved it by climbing off the bench to grab Brighton's 83rd-minute winner with a free-kick. Hull needed only a point to climb into the automatic play-off spots and would have grabbed all three themselves but for some fine second-half saves from Tomasz Kuszczak. Tigers goalkeeper David Stockdale was also busy in a first half dominated by Brighton. Spanish full-back Bruno linked up well with Craig Mackail-Smith to tee up Dani Lopez for a shot which Stockdale got down well to palm away at full stretch. Hull showed more attacking ambition after the break and Brighton's on-loan Stoke defender Matt Upson had to make a brave defensive header to stop Jack Hobbs getting on the end of Ahmed Elmohamady's dangerous cross. Jay Simpson headed a Robbie Brady cross wide at the near post and Robert Koren prodded Stephen Quinn's centre over the crossbar. David Meyler should have done better with another inviting cross from Brady but he sidefooted his effort across goal and wide. Vicente's arrival sparked Brighton into life and they should have gone ahead in the 67th minute when the substitute's superb reverse pass sent Wayne Bridge to the byline. Bridge crossed towards Ulloa and the ball was only half-cleared to Andrea Orlandi as he arrived in the area, but the former Swansea midfielder's composure deserted him as he blazed over the top. Brady almost conjured up a stunning goal for Hull but Kuszczak got his fingertips to the dipping, 30-yard strike. Kuszczak made another superb save to keep out Elmohamady's low drive in the 79th minute. And the Pole's intervention proved pivotal four minutes later when Orlandi was tripped on the edge of the area. Vicente stepped up and slammed a low free-kick past the wall, under the body of the diving Stockade and into the net to secure three valuable points for the play-off hopefuls.

Match Report: Brighton 0-0 Hull City

Brighton's winless run extended to a sixth game after they were held to a goalless draw by a resilient Hull.
The stalemate was far from dull, however, and the scoreline might well have been in double figures if not for the remarkable work of goalkeepers Casper Ankergren and Adriano Basso.Nigel Pearson's Tigers can now celebrate a run of seven games without loss in the Championship after an indifferent start to the season.In the early stages, Matt Fryatt's weighted drive was deflected away from danger by a brave Lewis Dunk. Then Craig Mackail-Smith, with five league goals to his name going into the clash, forced Basso to tip a fizzing shot round the post shortly before the half-hour mark.Aaron Mclean emerged as an attacking outlet for the Tigers in the 64th minute, arriving on the edge of the area to force a strong block from Ankergren, before reclaiming possession and stinging the Danish goalkeeper's palms with a fierce strike.The pressure increased on the visitors when Mackail-Smith forced Basso to punch the ball over his crossbar with five minutes remaining, with Dunk again appearing to block a late Mclean drive, but the points were shared.

Match Report:Hull City 1 Reading 0

Robbie Brady's strike ended Hull's long wait for a home goal and victory as they beat Reading 1-0 in the npower Championship.The hosts drew a blank in their opening three home matches in league and cup but finally laid that ghost to rest with a battling performance at the KC Stadium.Aaron McLean saw his early shot blocked and Brady's effort was gathered by Adam Federici as Hull pressed.Reading had a chance to test City's defence midway through the half but the usually reliable Ian Harte lifted his free-kick over everyone and out of play.The Tigers continued to press after the break and the industrious Matt Fryatt saw another powerful right-footed effort turned behind by Federici, who then punched Tom Cairney's inswinging corner clear.They then seized the advantage in the 73rd minute when Brady drilled in from 25 yards, a goal which the Royals had no response to.

Match Report: Leeds 4 Hull City 1

Leeds finally recorded their first league win of the campaign with an impressive performance against Hull.Ross McCormack headed United into the lead before Tom Lees put through his own net after inadvertantly converting Robbie Brady's cross.Lees made amends when he was on hand to poke in after Ramon Nunez's ball from a corner was spilled by Peter Gulacsi.Robert Snodgrass added a third with a 25-yard free-kick before Nunez made it 4-1 with a precise finish.The win places Leeds in 13th while Hull are in 18th spot.Scotland winger Snodgrass had an excellent game and went close when he forced Gulacsi to scramble at his near post.Hull then failed to deal with a Snodgrass cross but Nunez sent a weak shot wide before new signing Andy Keogh cut inside and drilled an effort over the bar.

The visitors had few clear-cut chances in the match. Substitute Aaron McLean had their best opportunity of the second half, but his header at the back post was comfortably saved by Andy Lonergan.

Match Report:Ipswich Town 0 Hull City 1

Matty Fryatt’s second half goal was enough to give Hull City a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. Town had the better of a first period in which ex-Hull defender Damien Delaney had hit the bar, but the Tigers improved after the break with Fryatt making the most of a defensive lapse with 14 minutes remaining.
Town boss Paul Jewell left new signing Keith Andrews, a former Hull player, on the bench, choosing to stick with last week’s side which beat Bristol City 3-0, with the exception of Tommy Smith replacing Ívar Ingimarsson, who is out with a thigh injury, on the right side of central defence.The Blues had the better of the early exchanges but with neither side particularly threatening. On nine Smith diverted a corner over under pressure after the second of two Town corners from the right.Former Blues loanee Liam Rosenior created an opportunity for Matty Fryatt on the edge of the area on 12 but the ex-Leicester man somehow managed miskick the ball in completely the opposite direction.An impressive Mark Kennedy run on 14 ended with the former Republic of Ireland international laying the ball across the six-yard box from the right but no one was there to add the final touch.After Tigers midfielder Paul McKenna had been lucky to avoid a yellow card for clattering into Lee Bowyer after the ball had gone, the Blues went close to going in front. Bowyer sent in a deep cross from the right and Martin just failed to get a touch at the far post, the winger, who had already swapped flanks from right to left, possibly not seeing the ball as it appeared from behind Rosenior at pace.
Left-back Aaron Cresswell went close to an extraordinary first goal for the Blues on 23. Spotting keeper Peter Gulacsi off his line, the former Tranmere man unleashed a dipping effort from 45 yards on the left, the ball nestling in the sidenetting. Moments later, Martin had a go from around half the distance, but went narrowly over.On 28 Hull’s left-sided on-loan Manchester United midfielder Robbie Brady broke through the middle and hit a low shot which Stockdale stopped without fuss.A minute later, Bowyer forced Gulacsi into a sharp save down to his left just inside the post after the former Leeds man had been found on the edge of the box by Cresswell. From the corner, Delaney headed wide.The former Hull City defender, who had been a doubt with an ankle injury, headed over again on 31, then Smith went even closer from another corner soon after with the Blues continuing to look the more threatening side.Hull were inches from a goal in the 38th minute when Corry Evans flicked on Tom Cairney’s corner on the right and Fryatt scuffed wide at the far post.Kennedy made another strong run into the box in the 43rd minute, his stabbed shot deflecting off Hull skipper Jack Hobbs and wrongfooting Gulacsi, who did well to get back across to save down to his right.
A minute later, from what was Town’s seventh corner, Delaney headed off the bar and over. The Blues were continuing to have the better of it as the game moved into injury time, a Martin cross flying across the area and somehow managing to avoid everyone.Blues boss Paul Jewell will have been happy enough with the first half display, the Blues having been on top against a hardly adventurous Hull side and creating a number of opportunities, both from longer distances via Cresswell and Martin, and Delaney and Smith’s closer efforts from corners. Hull had really only had the one opportunity when Fryatt failed to get enough on the near post corner.

David Stockdale made the first save of the second half, coming out to block Fryatt as he closed in on goal from the right.

A minute later, Robert Koren, who scored the goal which was the difference between the two sides at the KC Stadium last season, hit a 25-yard strike which Stockdale did well to push behind for a corner to his left. Soon after, a Town corner was semi-cleared to Bowyer on the edge of the area but his shot looped over.

Hull had started the second half the stronger side with the Blues unable to keep hold of the ball and bring the likes of Martin, Emmanuel-Thomas and Chopra into the game.

On 63 Hobbs headed Cairney’s freekick from just inside the Town half straight at Stockdale when if it had been a foot either side, the Tigers captain would have scored.

New loanee from Blackburn Keith Andrews replaced Mark Kennedy on 65 to make his debut for the Blues. Moments later Koren shot straight at Stockdale, prior to Emmanuel-Thomas sending a low ball into the six-yard box but too close to Gulacsi.

Chopra hit a 25-yard effort straight at Gulacsi on 69, prior to Josh Carson replacing the quiet Jay Emmanuel-Thomas wide on the right. Five minutes later, Leadbitter’s low shot flew wide.

The visitors went ahead in the 76th minute when the Blues were caught short at the back after Delaney and Cresswell pushed forward before Martin lost the ball on the edge of the Hull area. Hobbs played a long clearance towards Fryatt, who was left with only Smith to beat, which he did before slipping the ball past Stockdale.

Blues boss Jewell immediately switched to 4-4-2 with Nathan Ellington taking over from Bowyer and joining Chopra up front. Soon after, Town weren’t far away from an equaliser when Edwards crossed from the left and Martin headed goalwards but without the necessary power to beat Gulacsi.

On 86 Cairney was booked for an ugly challenge on Carson but Cresswell ‘s freekick flew straight into Gulacsi’s arms. Town were huffing and puffing but failing to create anything of note in front of goal.

As the game moved into injury time, Cresswell unleashed a fearsome 25-yarder which only just flew over.

Smith headed over from a corner, but the Blues weren’t really looking like getting back on terms and Gulacsi wasn’t seriously tested again before referee Danny McDrmid blew his whistle.

A disappointing second half in which Hull had been on top from the off, keeping the ball far better than Town and taking one of the game’s rare serious chances when it came.

Town, who had created enough chances before the break to have won it, never got going after the break with Martin, Emmanuel-Thomas and Chopra peripheral figures for the most part.

Aside from another impressive display from Cresswell, there were few positives for Jewell to take from a second 45 minutes little different to Tuesday’s defeat to Northampton.

Match Report:Hull City 0 Blackpool 1

A fine finish from Gary Taylor-Fletcher secured Blackpool victory over Hull in the opening match of the Championship season at the KC Stadium.The Seasiders, relegated from the Premier League last season, were more than matched by Hull through the match.Matty Fryatt wasted two fine chances for the hosts when clean through while Tom Cairney hit the bar.But Taylor-Fletcher lashed home a half-volley from Keith Southern's chip and his side survived several late scares.Blackpool dropped out of the Premier League in May after finishing 19th, while Hull were relegated from the top flight 12 months earlier, and the teams were well-matched.The hosts enjoyed the best of the opening quarter of the match as Cairney crashed a free-kick against the woodwork and Robert Brady dragged a shot wide.But after a slow start, Blackpool managed to assert their passing game and created the better of the chances before the break.First a cross from Kevin Phillips tempted Peter Gulacsi from his line and the goalkeeper was far from convincing as Elliot Grandin almost hunted down a loose ball.Then Phillips, who left Birmingham when his contract expired at the end of last season, rattled the post with a cleanly struck effort from the edge of the box.Hull suffered a setback as debutant Dele Adebola was forced off in the first minute of the second half, but the Tigers could have taken the lead when Fryatt burst through on goal.He was denied however as Alex Baptiste chased back and timed his tackle to perfection to rob the former Leicester striker.Fryatt and substitute Nick Barmby then squandered clear openings as the Seasiders defence disintegrated in front of them.But Taylor-Fletcher proved more clincial as he rifled an awkwardly bouncing ball into the top corner before Jay Simpson flicked Hull's last chance over the bar.Blackpool manager Ian Holloway told Sky Sports: "I want to prove that it's not just the players we've lost that were good. I want these lads to shine again and for me they did in this very tough fixture."I'm delighted for the lads, we've had a tough few weeks and it's always about getting the game started. We've had a terrible pre-season, we haven't played well at all, but we have tonight so that's all that matters."Hull boss Nigel Pearson felt his side were unfortunate to lose but admitted they had only themselves to blame."We've been mugged a bit because of the number of chances we've made," he said.

"We should be taking them but that's the Championship. It's a steep learning curve for some of our lads."