Tigers clinch precious win against 10-man Blues
THREE POINTS: George Honeyman wheels away in celebration. Picture credit: Hull City
Hull City 2 - 0 Birmingham City
Sky Bet Championship
By Sam Hawcroft, Hull City correspondent
If the maelstrom of takeover talk had diverted us somewhat from the Tigers’ perilous position in the league, it clearly didn’t distract the players from focusing on the job at hand and edging out of the bottom three with a comfortable victory over 10-man Birmingham.
Another potential spanner in the works was the absence of Josh Emmanuel, who had been set to replace the injured Lewie Coyle but, as was revealed in a statement from City less than an hour before kick-off, he had been taken to hospital after falling ill during training last Thursday. He was discharged “in good spirits” the following day, but the statement included the somewhat concerning line, “We ask that the privacy of Josh and his family are respected,” and no further questions were allowed in the post-match press conference due to “patient confidentiality”.
But what followed would turn out to be one of the Tigers’ best performances of the season so far. The first 15 minutes brought four corners for City as they enjoyed much of the early possession, Mallik Wilks and Keane Lewis-Potter seeing attempts go over, and a powering run from Greg Docherty from just behind the halfway line resulted in his shot being comfortably saved by Matija Sarkic.
On the 17th minute, City went ahead, albeit in controversial fashion. Video replays showed that the ball had been distinctly out of play when Ryan Longman flicked it back from the byline into the crowded six-yard area, for George Honeyman to tuck it in from close range. Many expected it to be disallowed, but it stood, to the obvious anger of Blues manager Lee Bowyer. Frustrating for the Blues fans, but a rare slice of luck for the Tigers, taking the lead inside the opening 30 minutes for the first time this season.
The Tigers put a bit of pressure on in the 25th minute after Wilks got away from Marc Roberts, but then undid his good work by being dispossessed himself after a bit of the indecisiveness that has, unfortunately, become the hallmark of his game lately. The Blues got their first corner a minute later, but it came to nothing, after which Di’Shon Bernard capped a long run out of defence with a shot that was easily saved by Sarkic.
Birmingham’s best chance of the game came on the 34th minute when Scott Hogan found himself clear after been played though by Troy Deeney – but City keeper Nathan Baxter did well to stand his ground, sticking a leg out to deny Hogan.
Just as half-time approached, there was another huge boost to the Tigers’ fortunes as Birmingham were reduced to 10 men. Gary Gardner was given his marching orders after he squared up to headbutt Josh Magennis – right in front of the referee. As Magennis was already about to be shown a yellow card, this was a rush of blood to the head that Gardener no doubt regretted as he headed towards his early bath. It was his second red card of the season, resulting in a four-match ban, which it’s fair to say didn’t go down all that well among Blues fans on social media.
The second half started fairly cagily for both sides, but City broke 10-man Birmingham’s resolve in the 57th minute when Lewis-Potter’s lovely chip found Wilks at the back post, and the number 7 made no mistake with his close-range header – which will hopefully have given him a huge confidence boost.
As the home crowd began to raise their voices, Magennis shot wide from close range and Lewis-Potter had a long-range shot saved by Sarkic, before a mistake by Bernard gifted possession to the Blues. Jacob Greaves was then booked for a foul, but from the resulting free kick 25 yards out, Jérémie Bela’s effort was easily collected by Baxter.
Moments later Magennis shot just wide again after being played in by the tireless Honeyman, who, as the Blues’ villain of the piece, was roundly booed by the away fans nearly every time he touched the ball.
After 70 minutes it was Baxter’s turn to be on the end of the Blues fans’ ire, after he picked up a bottle that had been thrown on the pitch, took a swig of it (perhaps a bit risky in these Covid times) and threw it back. But what should have been a moment of humour turned a little unsavoury as more bottles rained down from the away end, causing Baxter to retreat upfield and have a word with the referee.
As the game drew to a close, substitute Randell Williams’s shot from the right-hand side of the box drifted wide and, despite Birmingham’s best efforts to break through, the Tigers were in control of the game – not a phrase that’s been said often this season. The only question was whether they’d bag a third in the six minutes of added time. Wilks came closest from another good cross by Lewis-Potter, but it was not to be. No matter, though – this was a vital victory and another big step towards safety.