HULL CAN’T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FORESTIERI RED CARD
CHAMPIONSHIP leaders Hull were frustrated in their attempts to put daylight between them and the chasing pack by Sheffield Wednesday last night. Hull could have moved four points clear of second-placed Burnley with victory but Wednesday withstood a second-half storm to collect a point towards their own promotion push. However, the visitors’ push for a play-off spot was hampered by a stoppagetime sending off for top scorer Fernando Forestieri, who was dismissed for his second match in a row. A point each was just about fair: Wednesday were better in the first half and hit the bar, whereas Hull struck the post and had the advantage after the break. This was the home side’s fifth game in a fortnight thanks to their progress in the FA Cup and they face another five in the next 18 days. But Hull boss Steve Bruce stuck with the 11 who beat Ipswich on Tuesday, while Carlos Carvalhal freshened up Wednesday with five changes. It showed in the first half as Hull keeper Allan McGregor had to prevent a Curtis Davies own goal, tipped over a vicious Forestieri free-kick and then saw a dipping 30-yard shot from Forestieri come back off the angle of his goal. After the break, Hull’s Sam Clucas hit the side netting with a chipped effort. He was later unlucky to see his shot from just inside the area hit the post after a slick one-two with Jake Livermore. Wednesday were forced to hang on when Forestieri was sent off — booked for diving six minutes after being shown a yellow card for pulling an opponent’s shirt. The former Watford striker has a reputation for diving and suffered the same fate in defeat at Preston last Saturday, though last night’s decision looked harsh.