More woe for Hull City as toothless Tigers are mauled by Stoke City

Things went from bad to worse for Hull City as they were thrashed 5-1 by fellow strugglers Stoke City.
Hull City manager Grant McCann endured another afternoon to forget as his side were thrashed at Stoke. Picture: Getty ImagesHull City manager Grant McCann endured another afternoon to forget as his side were thrashed at Stoke. Picture: Getty Images
Hull City manager Grant McCann endured another afternoon to forget as his side were thrashed at Stoke. Picture: Getty Images

Sam Clucas haunted his former club during a one-sided relegation six-pointer, scoring twice to leave the Tigers winless in 11 league matches and just two points clear of the drop zone.

Hull manager Grant McCann made one change to his starting line-up with Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine brought in for George Honeyman, who dropped to the bench.

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But it was the home side who dominated from the outset, Nick Powell teeing up Clucas who blasted over from the edge of the box, before Tom Ince rifled over from an acute angle.

The opening goal of the game was not long in coming and arrived in the 11th minute when Powell headed home from full-back Tommy Smith's inch-perfect delivery.

Five minutes later, Tyrese Campbell scored from the penalty spot after City defender Sean McLoughlin was penalised for a careless handball inside his own box.

Campbell then saw a strike blocked, but midfielder Clucas was on hand to mop up the scraps just two minutes later, firing into the top left corner to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb.

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Powell should have made it four soon afterwards, however his chip flew inches wide of George Long's left-hand post.

Campbell then had an effort smothered by Long as the home side smelt blood, before the Tigers keeper produced a fine save to divert a stinging Clucas drive past his upright.

Stoke skipper Joe Allen had to be carried off on a stretcher at half-time after landing awkwardly after he tripped over Hull substitute Dan Batty.

But Clucas gave his captain something to smile about when he headed home Danny Batth's header to the back post for 4-0.

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Hull continued to defend in woeful fashion and Ince could have scored a fifth goal, only to see his finish fly agonisingly wide of the target.

Campbell then broke free and composed himself beofre unleashing a powerful left-footed shot, though Long did well to thwart him with a fine save.

Leo Da Silva did pull one back on 73 minutes, slotting home from Callum Elder's cross, but his goal was too make little difference.

And Hull's defence was all at sea once again in the 86th minute, allowing Powell space to poke home debutant Tashan Oakley-Boothe's centre, rounding off another miserable afternoon for McCann and his players.