Crumbling? Not us says Maguire
IT WAS all set up for an almighty fall. Big game, big crowd, big expectations. And what happens? Hull blow it, losing to an already relegated Sunderland side who had almost forgotten how to win. The Tigers lost to rockbottom Sunderland for a variety of reasons. Jordan Pickford was in unbeatable form, their forwards had an off-day, the visitors showed fighting
HULL CITY SUNDERLAND
qualities missing for much of the season while two borderline penalty decisions went against Hull.
But this was not a case of Hull going all jittery when strong minds and bodies were required. Not according to defender Harry Maguire.
“People might say we always fall at the last hurdle but you have to look at our previous home games as well,” said Maguire, as Hull lost at home for the first time under Marco Silva.
“We’d won five out of six so those who say we crumble under pressure are wrong.
“We’ve handled pressure in previous games. There were must-win games against Boro, West Ham and Watford when we’ve delivered.
“This was a game we needed to win. We don’t deny that but who says when we go to Crystal Palace next week we won’t deliver?” Billy Jones and Jermain Defoe scored and it could be Defoe’s last goal for the club, but it is the likely departure of Pickford this summer which will hit Sunderland the hardest.
David Moyes would love him to stay but with £20million bids pending from some of the Premier League’s richest clubs, he can offer no guarantees.
“At the moment, I really don’t know,” said Moyes. “Obviously it is up to the club. But if Jordan was to go elsewhere and not be the No 1, that would not be good for him.”