Lewis-potter’s magic seals win for the Tigers
MCCANN’S MEN EDGE FURTHER AWAY FROM DROP ZONE AFTER VICTORY OVER RIVALS CARDIFF
Hull City put some daylight between themselves and the bottom three with a win over Cardiff City in south Wales. Keane Lewis-potter’s header ensured it would be three wins on the spin for Grant Mccann’s side - a feat they’ve not managed since their return to the Championship.
Callum Elder returned to the starting line-up for Mccann’s side after missing the win over Birmingham City last weekend, but his return was short-lived after a clash with Kieffer Moore saw the Australian leave the field just before the brink of half-time.
It was a professional performance from the Tigers, albeit in a game that was low on any real quality.
City started the contest on the front foot and enjoyed a fair amount of the possession in the opening stages but weren’t able to force any clear cut opportunities.
The first real chance went the way of the visitors and youngster Isaak Davies.
George Honeyman squandered a great opportunity to loft the ball into the box but his free-kick came up short and the Bluebirds countered through Davies who raced towards the edge of the box, only to be denied by Richie Smallwood on the edge of the area.
Honeyman made sure his following delivery was much better. His corner found Ryan Longman unmarked at the front post, who flicked the ball on and there was Lewispotter to bundle the ball over the line after 15 minutes to give the Tigers the lead.
The Tigers held firm after the goal and limited the hosts to very little as the half pandered on.
Cardiff did find the back of the net in bizarre circumstances as Will Vaulks’ long throw from the left bounced in the 18-yard box and then looped over the head of Nathan Baxter into the net.
The referee waved away any Bluebirds protests, suggesting a player got a touch, and awarded City a free-kick.
The City back line dealt well with the aerial threat of Moore inside the first 45 minutes, with the only real chance for the hosts falling to Aden Flint midway through the half.
A long ball into the area dropped to the Cardiff centre-half who rolled his marker and fired a low shot at Baxter who turned the ball behind for a corner. A clash of heads between Moore and the returning Elder saw the game temporarily come to a halt midway through the first half, an incident which would call time on the Australian’s return despite the defender trying to play on.
The hosts turned the screw in the secondhalf and forced two great early chances.
Ryan Giles’ cross from the left narrowly evaded Moore in the six-yard box before Ng recycled the ball from the right.
His cross was met by the head of Leandro
Bacuna but he couldn’t get enough on his header and City scrambled the ball clear.
Sean Mcloughlin was then called into action to deny substitute Joe Ralls on the edge of the box as he heroically threw himself in front of a shot.
Mccann’s side survived the early waves of pressure and could, and probably should, have doubled their lead just before the hour mark.
Honeyman’s cross was headed back across goal by Jacob Greaves towards Josh Magennis, but the Tigers frontman couldn’t quite guide the ball in at the far post and Mcguinness scrambled the ball clear.
The game settled down after a frantic restart but it was the hosts who looked the more threatening.
Baxter pulled off a brilliant save with 15 minutes remaining, getting down to his right to palm Joe Ralls’ effort clear.
City were left on the ropes and were almost dealt a sucker punch when James Collins hammered the ball into the roof of the net, but the assistant raised his flag and the goal was ruled out for offside.
Collins then cannoned a header off the post deep into injury time to ensure City’s winning run continues.