Hull City suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against high-flying Sunderland at the MKM Stadium.
Wilson Isidor’s second-half finish proved to the be the difference in a tightly contested Sky Bet Championship encounter, which saw the Black Cats win the Raich Carter Trophy.
Prior to the fixture, Raich Carter was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame, with his son Raich Jr receiving the honorary award from previous Hall of Fame inductee Nick Barmby pitch side.
Head Coach Tim Walter made four changes to his starting XI to the one that faced Norwich City prior to the international break. Gustavo Puerta made his senior debut for the Tigers, while Charlie Hughes, Xavier Simons and Abu Kamara all came in.
Chances were very limited within the opening 10 minutes of the test, with both teams entering the opposition penalty areas, but with no clear cut chances. Luke O’Nien cleared away Mohamed Belloumi’s ambitious low drive before Hughes blocked Trai Hume’s attempt, after the full-back played a one-two on the right flank with Chris Rigg.
Pandur then held Isidor’s left-footed snapshot on the turn before Dennis Cirkin saw his deflected effort fly over the bar following a corner routine. Pandur then saved well with his feet to deny Patrick Roberts, while Jobe Bellingham drilled a low strike wide from 25-yards out as the first-half drew to a close.
In the second half, Marvin Mehlem tested Anthony Patterson from close range with a cross-shot at his near post within the opening five minutes. Good tenacious play from captain Lewie Coyle then saw space created for Belloumi on his favoured left-foot, but the curling finish flew over the bar.
City kept pushing for the opener as Kamara down the left wing saw his cross find its way to Chris Bedia. The striker in-turn outmuscled the Sunderland marker before shifting the ball onto his left foot. The Ivorian then struck a powerful strike that beat Patterson, but not the post as the ball cannoned off the woodwork. Minutes later, the striker had another opportunity, with his finish hitting the side netting following the aid of a deflection.
At the other end, Roberts managed to create a pocket of space with one individual turn, but the winger’s effort was blocked well by Alfie Jones. Kamara’s pass then found the run of Belloumi. The ball was challenged by Cirkin onto Belloumi, which saw Patterson acrobatically turn the ball behind for a corner.
Possession
50%Shots
10Shots On Target
2Corners
4Fouls
81
0
Cards
1
0
However, it was Sunderland who took the lead from the set-piece as a short corner routine saw the visitors win the ball and break through Isidor. Despite the best efforts of Drameh and an onrushing Pandur, the Sunderland forward chipped the ball over Pandur to score. City looked to find an equaliser as Bedia headed wide from a short corner routine before Simons fired over the bar from range.
The visitors meanwhile looked to double their advantage as Romaine Mundle found Rigg at the back post with a looping cross, but his thunderous volley hit the side netting. In injury-time, Coyle fired a powerful effort from the edge of the area towards goal, but O'Nien stood tall to block the shot and deny the City captain. Belloumi then delivered a corner in the final minute, but substitute João Pedro headed over from 12-yards out.
Attendance: 23,072.
Hull City: Pandur, Coyle, Jones, Hughes (João Pedro 85'), Drameh, Mehlem (Palmer 69'), Simons (Zambrano 85'), Puerta (Slater 69'), Belloumi, Bedia, Kamara (Millar 65')
Subs: Giles, McLoughlin, Racioppi, Burstow
Sunderland: Patterson, Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin, Rigg, Neil, Bellingham, Roberts (Browne 85'), Isidor (Connolly 75'), Mundle
Subs: Rusyn, Moore, Aouchiche, Aleksic, Hjelde, Watson, Johnson
Watch extended highlights of Hull City 0-1 Sunderland on Tigers+
