Hull City 3 Northampton Town 0 - Grant McCann praises ‘professional’ Tigers as they extend their lead at the top of League One

Hull City manager Grant McCann praised his side’s “professional” performance after they extended their lead at the top of League One.
VICTORY: Hull City's Keane Lewis-Potter (right) celebrates scoring Hull's second goal of the game with team-mate Mallik Wilks. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.VICTORY: Hull City's Keane Lewis-Potter (right) celebrates scoring Hull's second goal of the game with team-mate Mallik Wilks. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.
VICTORY: Hull City's Keane Lewis-Potter (right) celebrates scoring Hull's second goal of the game with team-mate Mallik Wilks. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.

The table-topping Tigers put poor Northampton Town to the sword thanks to goals from Callum Elder, Keane Lewis-Potter and Gavin Whyte at the KCOM on Easter Monday.

Victory, and Peterborough United’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland, propelled McCann’s men three points clear the summit.

“It was very professional,” said McCann after the game.

STAYING TOP: Hull City players celebrate after taking the lead against Northampton Town. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.STAYING TOP: Hull City players celebrate after taking the lead against Northampton Town. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.
STAYING TOP: Hull City players celebrate after taking the lead against Northampton Town. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.
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“They threw a bit of a surprise to us with their team sheet. It was easier for us against their back three. We could give Callum (Elder) and Lewis (Coyle) the ball and they were excellent.

“All around we got it spot on. We were calm, controlled and professional. Callum Elder – he’s been really consistent this season. He doesn’t always get the credit he deserves. It was a great ball for the third goal.

“We take care of our own business; we just have to worry about ourselves.”

Josh Magennis came into the starting line-up in the only change for the Tigers as they looked to solidify their place at the top of League One after a 2-1 away win last time out away at Crewe Alexandra.

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And it was Magennis who had the ball in the net after 16 minutes, only to see his effort chalked off for offside.

Elder opened the scoring with a super strike on the half-hour mark. Lewis-Potter laid the ball to the edge of the area after a poor free-kick, and Elder curled an unstoppable effort into the top left corner.

And the lead was doubled before half-time. Magennis had time and space on the left-hand side to Lewis-Potter who fired home a deflected effort.

Hull had various chances to add to their total in the second half through Magennis, Docherty and Lewis-Potter.

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But it took until stoppage-time to pick up a deserved third.

Elder turned provider as substitute Whyte raced onto his perfectly-weighted pass before he rounded Mitchell and tapped home to add gloss late on.

Hull City: Ingram, Coyle, Elder, A Jones, Greaves (McLoughin 90’), Honeyman (Flores 87’), Slater, Docherty, Wilks (Whyte 73’), Lewis-Potter (Crowley 73’), Magennis (Eaves 73’). Unused subs: Long, Emmanuel, Flores.

Northampton Town: Mitchell, Kioso, Horsfall, Sheenan (Jones 74’), Mills, Jones, McWilliams, Morris, Watson, Rose (Edmondson 68’), Hoskins. Unused subs: Berry, Harriman, Bloger, Jones, Korboa, Marshall.

Referee: T Brammal (Sheffield).

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