Kolo in crisis as Tigers put on a show for Rooney

LIAM ROSENIOR pleaded with Wayne Rooney to come and watch his Hull side more often after the former Manchester United and England star attended their romp at the DW Stadium yesterday. Rooney saw the Tigers continue their revival under Rosenior before jetting back to the USA, where he is managing DC United. Late goals from Oscar Estupinan and substitute Tyler Smith — who bagged a double — secured victory for Hull after Wigan’s Nathan Broadhead had cancelled out Jacob Greaves’s first-half strike. Rosenior, who was Rooney’s assistant at Derby, said: ‘He wanted to come and support us. He’s a good friend and he needs to come to more of our games if we play like that!’

Hull have lost only once in eight games since Rosenior took over but it’s a different story for Kolo Toure whose nightmare start as Wigan boss continued. After a 1-1 draw in his first game, Toure’s team have lost four on the trot — the last three 4-1 — leaving the Latics bottom of the table. There was a chorus of boos after the final whistle but the former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool defender felt the result was harsh. ‘It’s tough to take,’ said Toure. ‘The scoreline doesn’t reflect the game. For 75 minutes we were in the game and looked like we were going to get the second goal.’

Hull paid the penalty for not putting the game to bed when Everton loanee Broadhead headed home James McClean’s corner in the 63rd minute. But Estupinan put the Tigers back in front from Alfie Jones’s through ball with 12 minutes left and as Wigan pressed for a second equaliser, they were punished twice by the pacy Smith in the final five minutes.