It’s hell for Hull as sad Tigers suffer drop after hammering at Palace
CRYSTAL PALACE ........... 4 HULL CITY ......................... 0
HULL City were relegated from the Premier League with one game to go after a heavy defeat at Crystal Palace, a result which secured top-flight survival for Sam Allardyce’s team.
Marco Silva’s side went behind after a shocking error just two minutes and 11 seconds into a game they needed to win to give themselves a fighting chance of survival.
Italy defender Andrea Ranocchia missed a simple clearance, allowing Wilfried Zaha to run clear and slot beyond goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic.
Christian Benteke’s header doubled Palace’s lead, while late goals from Luka Milivojevic, from the penalty spot, and substitute Patrick van Aanholt, completed Hull’s misery.
The Tigers, who failed to register a shot on target, will join Sunderland and Middlesbrough in the Championship next season.
Palace manager Sam Allardyce had spoken during the week of the need for his team to handle the pressure of the occasion and of how the opening goal would be key. He also recognised the potential for the Selhurst Park crowd to grow nervous, but if either team displayed a lack of composure, it was Hull.
Scarcely two minutes had passed when the erratic Italian defender Ranocchia’s missed kick allowed Zaha directly through on goal, and from there the winger calmly finished beneath goalkeeper Jakupovic.
As with Swansea’s 2-0 victory at Sunderland on Saturday, it already appeared that by taking the lead the hardest part was done, and after a quiet period of play the home side added a second in the 34th minute.
Jason Puncheon targeted Benteke with his inswinging, right-wing delivery and the Belgian’s powerful header, under minimal supervision from the Hull defence, had the beating of Jakupovic.
From that point on Hull – who had rallied since the appointment of Marco Silva as manager in January had the air of a defeated team.
Palace had no reason to play with ambition, knowing their visitors required a minimum of two goals, and defended with the organisation Allardyce has given them.
The Eagles continued to threaten on the counter-attack and the third goal was scored from the penalty spot by Milivojevic with five minutes left after Michael Dawson tripped Jeffrey Schlupp in the box.
The final blow to Silva’s side came in the last minute as James McArthur’s through-ball sent fellow substitute Van Aanholt clear to calmly place a shot beneath Jakupovic.
Hull, who will finish 18th, had begun the season with only 13 fit senior players, without a permanent manager and amid widespread predictions of relegation.
Silva’s contract expires at the end of the season, and it would seem that keeping him on board represents Hull’s best chance of making an instant return to the top flight.
In the aftermath of the game, Silva said: “Today we came here to play one final and we started in a bad way. It gave Palace what they wanted for the match. They knew what was in it for them.
“We tried but conceded again and it finished the game. We tried to make changes at half-time for a small reaction.
“Possession is not enough. You have to take the right decisions. At this level it makes a difference.
“When the club came to me, we knew we were taking on a big risk. But we had one target, to stay in the Premier League. We did our best to improve the boys in the team and that was our job.”
Meanwhile, Hull skipper Dawson added: “It is very hard. The season has been a long, hard slog and it is a sad day.
“You work hard all year and then you get relegated, you have to pick yourselves up and we know what to do in the Championship.”