Hull City 2 Cardiff City 0: Tigers on the rise again after easing past Bluebirds

HITTING 50 is always a major milestone.
OPENING UP: Hull City's Abel Hernandez slots his first-half penalty past Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall. Picture: Tony JohnsonOPENING UP: Hull City's Abel Hernandez slots his first-half penalty past Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall. Picture: Tony Johnson
OPENING UP: Hull City's Abel Hernandez slots his first-half penalty past Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall. Picture: Tony Johnson

That accomplishment was duly reached by home specialists Hull City last night in terms of registering a half-century of points for their Championship campaign, moving above Derby County and up to second place in the process.

The Rams remain the last side to triumph at the KC, but unyielding home form has proved the bedrock of Hull’s quest to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking – with their number of league home wins now into double figures, matching leaders Middlesbrough.

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This game was the first meeting between the two sides at the KC since that tumultuous afternoon of unbearable tension on May 4, 2013 when Hull were promoted to the top-tier.

It was rather more perfunctory last night, but business-like wins always have their place.

A victory, which in the end proved routine, was achieved through a 40th-minute penalty from Abel Hernandez – which owed much to a defensive implosion from ex-Leeds United captain Lee Peltier – and a Sam Clucas strike, which doubled the hosts’ tally six minutes after the restart to finish the game as a meaningful contest.

It has been a campaign when both goalscorers have excelled, along with several others under Bruce, who brought back seven regulars rested for the weekend FA Cup tie with Brighton.

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On the evidence of the first half, Bruce’s pre-match observation that patience might be required looked a shrewd one.

Hull, despite gorging on possession, conjured little against defence-minded Cardiff, but thankfully their frustrations were eased courtesy of a needless piece of defending by Peltier.

The former Leeds man stupidly grappled Harry Maguire following an inswinging Clucas corner with referee Scott Duncan in close attendance and the Northumberland official showed no hesistation in pointing to the spot.

Top-scorer Hernandez is not the sort to pass up gifts like that and duly converted the penalty, despite David Marshall guessing right, for his 12th of the season.

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Prior to that, Hull had laboured, with the best chance comfortably falling to Cardiff just before the half-hour mark when Craig Noone sent Anthony Pilkington clear, but his chip floated over the on-rushing Allan McGregor and then the crossbar.

Hull’s most dangerous moment had arrived in the opening 15 minutes, thanks to some atrocious defending from Bruno Manga.

The Bluebirds centre-back was criminally dispossessed by Mo Diame, who teed up Hernandez in front of goal, but the Uruguayan dithered and Magna redeemed himself by making a saving block.

Cardiff, with manager Russell Slade seemingly hanging onto his post by a thread, were organised if from far adventurous in the first period.

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But their policy of containment worked soundly enough in a half when Hull struggled for attacking fluency.

Hull went close to doubling their advantage soon after the restart when Marshall blocked Maguire’s volley from close range after he stole in at the back post to meet Clucas’s free-kick.

The reprieve didn’t last long, with Clucas giving Hull an unassailable-looking lead not long after. Robust centre-forward play from Hernandez helped on Diame’s cross and, with Cardiff stretched, the ball invitingly fell to Clucas, who rammed home a low half-volley – his fifth goal of an impressive campaign.

Hull played out the remainder of the game in comfort, with Bruce able to hand early breathers to captain Jake Livermore and Hernandez.

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Cardiff’s sole effort saw Joe Ralls’s shot easily saved by McGregor, with the only issue being whether Hull could improve their goal difference on their way to a fifth successive win at home.

The Welshmen were increasingly struggling to cope with the persistence and physicality of Hernandez and Diame. Clucas’s low shot was then kept out by the feet of Marshall, who denied Huddlestone and Clucas again.

For Hull, it’s now 32 home points from a possible 39 available. Some feat that.

Hull City: McGregor; Odubajo, Maguire, Davies, Robertson; Elmohamady, Livermore (Hayden 75), Meyler, Clucas; Diame (Aluko 82), Hernandez (Huddlestone 68). Unused substitutes: Jakupovic, Taylor, Snodgrass, Akpom.

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Cardiff City: Marshall; Peltier, Manga, Connolly, Malone; Noone, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Pilkington; Watt (Macheda 82); Mason (Ameobi 61). Unused substitutes: Moore, Fabio, Whittingham, Revell, O’Keefe.

Referee: S Duncan (Northumberland).