Hull City 1 Sunderland 1: David Meyler earns starting role for Tigers

Hull coach Leonid Slutsky apologised for his side's first-half performance but promised to start David Meyler against Reading on Saturday.
Get in: David Meyler celebrates his late qualising goal.
Picture: Tony Johnson.Get in: David Meyler celebrates his late qualising goal.
Picture: Tony Johnson.
Get in: David Meyler celebrates his late qualising goal. Picture: Tony Johnson.

The Republic of Ireland midfield player was introduced at the start of the second half and was the catalyst for an improved showing from the Tigers, scoring the equalising goal.

Former Russia manager Slutsky said: “David Meyler missed four months (with a knee injury), he’s really not ready to play every few days because we are waiting for his optimum fitness.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“In one week, no problem, but every few days it’s very difficult. Today, he only played 45 minutes and changed the game.

“We played two different halves. The first half was terrible, the second half was much better.

“I’m sorry for the first half, but in the second half, anybody who sat in the stands would be satisfied by our second half. Believe me, everybody tried 100 per cent to succeed. We can play better and better. We are working very hard to try to change the situation.”

Sunderland chief Simon Grayson praised James Vaughan after his striker emerged from his sickbed to score his first goal for the club.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Vaughan, a summer signing from Bury, has been laid low by diarrhoea of late but led the line well at the KCOM Stadium in Lewis Grabban’s absence.

His first-half header looked like securing a valuable three points for the Black Cats before former Sunderland midfielder Meyler popped up from the bench to earn a 1-1 draw.

The result did bring an end to Sunderland’s four-game losing streak in the Championship, though, and Grayson was satisfied with the performance of his forward.

Grayson said: “Vaughany was in bed Thursday night and all day Friday with sickness and diarrhoea, so he was on his last legs in the last 15 minutes. I’m really pleased for him that he played and got his reward with the goal as well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’m disappointed but pleased (with the team’s performance) as well. We were very comfortable and dominated the ball, created some good chances and got the goal.

“We didn’t pass the ball and retain it as well as we should do but we limited them to few opportunities. I think we just ran out of steam a little bit.”

Former Everton striker Vaughan may get the chance to add to his tally with top scorer Grabban facing a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

“He is going to be out for a few weeks. It’s going to be weeks rather than days,” added Grayson. ”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hull City: McGregor, Tomori, Dawson, Hector (Meyler 46), Aina, Larsson, Henriksen (Toral 46), Kingsley, Bowen, Dicko (Campbell 70), Grosicki. Unused substitutes: Irvine, Marshall, Diomande, Clark.

Sunderland: Ruiter, Matthews, Kone, Wilson, Oviedo, Ndong , Cattermole, McManaman (Jones 80), Williams (Rodwell 76), Honeyman, Vaughan (Gooch 89). Unused substitutes: Steele, Browning, Love, Gibson.

Referee: D England (South Yorkshire).