Blues outfought at struggling Hull

The Blues were beaten for only the fourth time this season yesterday, suffering a 1-2 defeat at Phil Brown's 'Ull. A classic by no means, we never really looked like stamping our authority on the game, and Hull out-battled us to take the three points and pull themselves clear of the relegation zone.

Not that it was all doom and gloom. Kolo Toure's goal on the hour seemed to bring us to life, and i thought we'd go on to get at least a point, but it wasn't to be. As predicted it was Stephen Hunt and Jozy Altidore who made the difference, both putting in tireless performances to inspire their side to a much-needed win.

Wayne Bridge started his first game in two months at left-back, with Dedryck Boyata replacing compatriot Vince Kompany in the middle. Craig Bellamy returned to the starting eleven in place of Martin Petrov, but had a frustrating afternoon. The home side were unchanged from their impressive 1-1 draw with Chelsea midweek.

The first half was pretty forgettable, though i certainly thought we looked more comfortable for the first fifteen or twenty minutes, retaining possession well but as has been the case occasionally during poorer performances away from home, not being able to make a real difference in the final third.

Hull came to life midway through the first period, and in truth dominated until the latter stages of it. A booking for young Boyata, shortly followed by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink dragging a shot wide from the edge of the area were the earliest warning signs. Bridge and Barry carved out half-chances, but there was only one side likely to open the scoring.

The on-loan American earned his side a lead just past the half-hour, scoring his first goal in eighteen Premier League games. He really pulled our defence about, as we discussed he might, but for once managed to remain composed in front of goal, curling a terrific low effort into Shay Given's far post after Vennegoor of Hesselink had done well to control and lay him off. The move came as a direct result of a free-kick being given away in a dangerous position. Not the first time this season that we've suffered following such errors.

We did manage to settle down towards the end of the half, finishing it the more offensive side, but wild shots from distance by Bellamy and Tevez gave us an inkling that it just wasn't going to be our day. Bridge, who i actually thought did okay on his return, played a great one-two with Tevez and forced a stop from Myhill, but we never really got into our stride.

It must be said that Steve Mouyokolo and Antony Gardner did a great job of keeping our strikers quiet, and with Tevez marked out of the game, Bellamy having an off-day, and Petrov and Wright-Phillips missing, we struggled to convert good build-up play into clear-cut chances. Adebayor's header wide, and Tevez' shot from long-range both lacked conviction.

The Tigers stretched their lead in the 54th minute, George Boateng smashing home left-footed from outside of the box after we'd failed to clear a corner. The Dutchman's first goal in two years, a pearler on his unfancied foot, just about summed up the day's events. He'll probably not score a better goal again in his career, but there was no fluke about it. At this stage we looked well out of it.

The introduction of new signing Adam Johnson at least appeared to give us a bit of sway in the final third, and the half-hour or so he played would have to be judged the main positive of a pretty dire afternoon. His tricky feet caused Hull problems, especially when bringing his full-back in onto his unnatural side. Several crosses were whipped in, at least two just about dealt with by Myhill.

It was the Sunderland-born wideman whose set-piece led to getting on the scoresheet. A long corner was somehow hooked back in by Gareth Barry, the ball ambled around the area for a while, Emmanuel Adebayor being credited with the finish which certainly won't be a contender for Goal of the Month. At 1-2 we must have fancied our chances of a point, but for all the increased possession we were no more clinical where it mattered.

Patrick Vieria, another sub around the hour, made his debut, initially looking commanding going forwards but latterly shaky when in retreat. His looping header was at least on target. Johnson continued to try and make an impression on the game, but a late Carlos Tevez scuff was about as good as we could muster, and in all honesty a late leveller would have probably been unjust.

On the day, and though at different ends of the table, i just think Hull wanted it a bit more. Their defence was resolute, their entire midfield unflagging, and Altidore really unsettled us. When you're struggling, as we've done many a time, you can only ask that your players give 100%, and Hull's did to a man, whereas a couple of ours didn't look to be up for the scrap.

Vince Kompany, as expected, proved a big loss, though that's no excuse. At times we came across as vulnerable, unorganised, idealess and uninterested. No disrespect to Hull, they're the type of side that anyone with hopes of challenging for Europe should be taking four, even six points from a season. Tuesday gives us a good opportunity to put the result right, but given our rivals fixtures this coming and last week, we might come to rue such a poor result.

Team:
Given, Zabaleta, Bridge (Petrov '85), Toure, Boyata, de Jong, Ireland (A.Johnson '56), Barry, Tevez, Adebayor, Bellamy (Vieira '60)