Tigers Hammered: Match Report

Hull lost for the 6th straight league game this time going down 2-0 to West Ham. Hull never really got going in the match and were by far second best in the 1st half. West Ham had the better opening and were unlucky not to go 1 up on when Matt Duke saved well from Jack Collison.

West Ham continued to press and Di Michele was unlucky to see his curling effort come back off the post on 16 minutes. West Ham were then awarded a penalty on 20 minutes for a foul on Carlton Cole by Sam Ricketts the decision did seem a harsh one. Mark Noble stepped up to take the penalty having scored his last 3 however this time Matt Duke pulled off a great Save to keep the score at 0-0.

West Ham kept the pressure on and it was no surprise when on 32 minutes their took the lead, Carlton Cole with a shot which Duke could only parry and Di Michele was there to fire the ball into the roof of the net. 1-0 West ham and no more then their Deserved. Hull did have chances but their were to close to Robert Green or wide. The 1st half ended 1-0 to the Hammers.

It was a poor 1st half from Hull but they remained unchanged for the start of the second half. West Ham then went 2-0 up on 50 minutes a tap in for Carlton Cole after Di Michele hit the post. Two minutes later Hull made a double substitution Manucho and Geovanni coming off to be replaced by new signing Jimmy Bullard and Craig Fagan.

Within 8 minutes of His debut Bullard had Hull's best chance of the game, having an effort from 25 yards which Green did well to get a cross and push it around the post. Hull never really looked like getting back into the game and it was West Ham who looked more likely to extend their lead. Matt duke been called upon again as he 1st denied Carlton Cole then got up quickly to deny Di Michele. Noble had another chance for West Ham on 78 minutes Matt Duke did well to turn his chip over the bar.

Duke was on hand to save a Faubert shot as he justified Phil Brown's Decision to start him. West Ham then brought on a new signing of their own Savio replacing Di Michele who played well up front for The Hammers. The game ended 2-0 to West Ham a result which could've easy have been 4 or 5 nil. The result means Hull slip to 10th in the league and its hard to see when the next win will come from. Worrying times for Hull supporters.

Hull boss Phil Brown:
"It's been a very difficult night. We came up against team full of confidence.

"Zola's got them playing football with belief and we have to get back to playing like that."

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola:
"Today was very, very good but the good thing about this team is that every game we play seems to be the best game. It was a great match today - a difficult match, but we played fantastically well.

"What pleased me was the attitude, they didn't want to lose a challenge and they were chasing back."

West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Collison (Faubert 71), Noble (Boa Morte 84), Di Michele (Nsereko 86), Cole.

Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Tristan, Tomkins, Sears.

Goals: Di Michele 33, Cole 51.

Hull: Duke, Ricketts, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Marney (Mendy 73), Ashbee, Kilbane, Geovanni (Bullard 53), Cousin, Manucho (Fagan 53).

Subs Not Used: Myhill, Garcia, Halmosi, Folan.

Booked: Marney.

Att: 34,340

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).