Valuable point, but it should have been a win
FAMILIAR THEME AS MISSED CHANCES PROVE COSTLY FOR PROMOTION-CHASING TIGERS
For the second time this season, Hull City had to settle for a draw at Sunderland - this time with league points up for grabs. Grant Mccann’s Tigers travelled back to East Yorkshire with a sense of frustration at what should have been three points from the Stadium Light, following their 1-1 draw in front of the television cameras on a freezing night in the North East.
Mccann’s men created much the better chances against Lee Johnson’s Black Cats having taken a 13th minute lead through Reece Burke’s clever finish.
Aiden Mcgeady capitalised on a defensive error eight minutes later to level it up, but
Tom Eaves and Mallik Wilks passed up good chances to earn what would have been a deserved victory on Wearside.
Still, four points from games against Charlton and Sunderland coming off the back of three straight defeats must be viewed as a positive.
Mccann made just the one change from the 2-0 win over Charlton, and that was forced upon him with the departure of Hakeeb Adelakun.
Adelakun’s place in the starting XI went to the returning Burke, with City going for a shift in formation.
There were also places on the bench for Josh Magennis and Callum Elder after they recovered from coronavirus.
City started brightly, with Greg Docherty storming through the middle from a clever knock down from Eaves looking to slot in Wilks inside left, but goalkeeper Lee Burge was out quickly at his feet.
Burge was down for a quite a while needing treatment on what looked like a stray stud in the eye.
Moments later, George Honeyman was given the chance to test his eyesight with a free-kick wide on the right-hand side.
His fizzing ball in was fumbled at chest height by Burge, falling kindly to Burke to turn and lash in the net.
It was a deserved lead for City, who came again looking for a quick-fire second with another Honeyman free-kick which was just about seen off.
It had taken a while for Johnson’s men to claw their way into the game, and out of nothing, his side were level. Brandon Fleming failed to stop a deep cross from the right byline, Eaves lost the flight of a hopeful hook into the box and Mcgeady nodded into the bottom corner.
It was a terrible goal for City to concede, having worked so hard to get themselves into the lead.
City reacted well, Eaves headed against the bar from a Wilks cross when he probably should have netted, before another chance came his way.
At the other end, the Tigers looked a little shaky and that almost proved costly when a long punt down the pitch caused havoc, out rushed George Long to clatter Diamond outside his box, luckily, the referee allowed play to go on.
A lovely first-time Wilks cross picked him out again and this time, he forced a good save from Burge going some way to making up for his earlier error.
Chances again were coming and going. Eaves’ eventful evening came to an end four minutes before the break after a clash of knees saw him leave to be replaced by the returning Magennis.
Sunderland made a double change at the start of the second period, with Gooch coming on while there was also a change in goal with Remi Matthews coming on for the stricken Burge.
Wyke almost prodded the home side in front five minutes into the second half, but somehow steered it wide under pressure from Josh Emmanuel.
Honeyman’s influence was growing, and
his well-worked short corner routine saw Wilks try his luck near post only to see his effort blocked, after Honeyman diverted a header into the hands of Matthews.
The introduction of Danny Graham and Chris Maguire did little to help Johnson’s men test Long to any great degree.
Keane Lewis-potter came off the bench to free Wilks inside the final 10 minutes, only for Wilks again to fail to make the most of another terrific opportunity.
As time ticked by, Elder made his return in place of Fleming to add a little extra experience in the City back line and made a crucial clearance inside his own box.
There was still time for Wilks to crash an effort wide in stoppage time after a good save from the goalkeeper.
On any normal day, a point at Sunderland is probably a good result - this I fear, will be viewed as two points dropped.
Good day? Jacob Greaves - once again, another terrific display from the young defender who looks entirely at home in the heart of the back four.
Bad day? Mallik Wilks. Will walk off feeling frustrated with his performance. Involved in so many attacking areas, but his decision making proved poor throughout.
Up next: Fleetwood (H) - Papa John’s Trophy tomorrow. The game will have a slightly different feel to it after recent events on the Fylde Coast. Manager Joey Barton has been sacked and Ched Evans has departed for Preston, so the rivalry stoked up by the Cod Army will surely have been diluted. City will expect to see off Town and move a step closer to Wembley.