Losing run over as Tigers start 2021 with a bang
CONVINCING WIN OVER CHARLTON GETS CITY BACK ON LEAGUE ONE PROMOTION TRACK
Hull City kicked off what they hope will be a successful New Year with a deserved 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Charlton Athletic, despite the best efforts of coronavirus. A goal in each half from Hakeeb Adelakun and Greg Docherty ensured Grant Mccann’s men ended a run of three straight defeats to move second in League One.
City, who were missing a string of first team players following a Covid outbreak over Christmas, delivered an assured performance against Lee Bowyer’s men, who saw Darren Pratley dismissed just after the hour mark.
City were on the front foot early, keen to get off to a good start on home soil, with a side which showed six changes from the team beaten 2-0 by Portsmouth 15 days earlier.
A raft of changes owing to a recent coronavirus outbreak at the club saw the likes of Josh Magennis, Callum Elder and Reece Burke miss out, while Matt Ingram dropped to the bench with George Long coming in.
There was a return for influential George Honeyman, with Tom Eaves handed the baton up front in the absence of Magennis, plus a start for Hakeeb Adelakun after much speculation about his future in the week.
Mallik Wilks won the game’s first corner off Chris Gunter, a battle which looked like being one to watch throughout the afternoon.
Honeyman, back in the side and back on set-piece duties picked out Alfie Jones at the back post, though he could only loft a header over the top of Ben Amos’ bar.
Clever play from Honeyman and Josh Emmanuel fashioned an opening for Wilks but his shot was tame but the intent was clear from the home side, who continued to press forward.
A key moment followed when influential midfielder Ben Watson went down with what looked like a hamstring injury, forcing him off to be replaced by Alex Gilbey.
City were in front on 18 minutes when
Jacob Greaves intercepted the ball, freed
Wilks down the left and his cross went through Amos to Adelakun at the back stick.
The on-loan winger had the easy task of lashing the ball into the empty net - somewhat ironically in the same minute
Jason Pearce scored the only goal in the corresponding meeting back in June.
The Addicks roared back at City, and Pearce could only angle a header into the grateful arms of Long.
Eaves should have made it 2-0 from Honeyman’s smart free-kick after 25 minutes, only heading straight at Amos from six yards out - a chance he should have snaffled up.
Charlton continued to probe for a leveller and Omar Bogle should have scored in the 33rd minute from Forster-caskey’s corner, only to hit thin air and allow Long the chance to drop gratefully onto the ball.
City passed up another good chance to double their lead, when Eaves held it up at the back post before finding Honeyman who took a great touch to find space before slamming a shot wide.
After a bit of pushing and shoving inside the City penalty area, Eaves found himself through inside right but could only lash his right-footed volley over the bar.
Despite a bright start to the second half from the visitors, a change to three at the back allowed City to fashion chances.
Honeyman’s heavy pass found Docherty on the edge of the box who shot straight at Amos, and then Honeyman tried to slip Wilks through in behind but his pass was cut out.
Another great chance came as it opened up for Emmanuel who surged towards the edge of the box, instead of going for goal he rolled in Wilks before being tackled out of it.
Jonny Williams was thrown on by Bowyer, but he was involved in what proved to be a pivotal moment. Williams looked to be fouled on the touchline that resulted in Darren Pratley saying something to the assistant and a red card was his medicine with a little over 25 minutes left to play.
Charlton’s most likely way of getting back into it appeared to come from a set-piece, and they wanted a penalty when Pearce jumped above Emmanuel and the ball appeared to drop onto his arm.
Nothing was given, Pearce was booked for his back chat and with 20 minutes to go, Eaves was replaced by Keane Lewis-potter.
With 15 minutes go, Docherty made the points safe with a smart finish to make it 2-0.
Lewis-potter surged down the right, got to the byline before standing up a fine cross to the back post for Wilks. His header crashed off the bar, falling kindly to Honeyman inside the six-yard box, he paused, took a touch and rolled it back to the Scot who found the net.
That was Honeyman’s last act as he was withdrawn for Regan Slater, and Thomas Mayer came on for Adelakun.
Honeyman’s withdrawal in the 19th game of the season, ensured he, along with Smallwood and Elder escape the risk of an automatic suspension having picked up four bookings. As Smallwood was withdrawn for Dan Batty, it meant Greaves was handed the captain’s armband to round off what was a fine personal display, and one City hope will see them back on track.
Key moment: Hakeeb Adelakun’s opener. It was so important that City got the first goal given what had gone before. It settled them, and it gave the Tigers confidence along with a platform to go on and earn a valuable three points.
Good day? Jacob Greaves - in a muchchanged defensive unit because of Covid, Greaves gave a polished performance at the back with Alfie Jones. Had a hand in the opener before being given the captain’s armband late on.
Opposition star: Forster-caskey - while Charlton didn’t threaten too much, his delivery from set-pieces and wide areas caused City a couple of nervous moments.
Bad day? Darren Pratley - the experienced former Bolton man looked uncomfortable in the first half and his frustration boiled over in the second when he picked up a straight red card.
Ref watch: Martin Coy - It looked like he struggled to get to grips with it at times, missed a couple of big decisions and allowed Alex Gilbey to shove George Honeyman without punishment.