Hull City’s Carabao Cup campaign came to an end on Tuesday night as they were beaten 1-0 by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Here’s a few talking points to emerge from the contest
Quality the difference
The Carabao Cup was always going to be a distraction for the Tigers but for Sergej Jakirovic, it was a welcome one, with the head coach using the opportunity to give minutes to those on the outside of his current Premier League XI.
As such, he saw the value of staying in the competition and he’ll have been hoping to see his summer signings combine well enough to secure progression to the fourth round. Ultimately, after what it has to be said was a tough watch, one moment of real quality from Chemsdine Talbi was enough to win the game for the Black Cats.
City had their chances, they worked the keeper on a couple of occasions and Joe Gelhardt really should have levelled things up late on by turning home a peach of a ball from Sorba Thomas. City can feel aggrieved not to have been given a penalty in the opening five minutes of the contest, too.
Fitness was visibly low in some players and Jakirovic spoke about that after the game to explain the second half drop off. However, the truth is that City’s one and only target this season is Premier League survival and therefore they won’t lose too much sleep over their cup exit.
New signings verdict
A total of eight summer signings started the game on Wearside and three more came off the bench. It’s fair to say that only a couple really staked their claim, though, on a tough night for the Tigers.
Lucas Herrington was the standout new boy, with the defender just looking so composed and controlled in and out of possession. He’s clearly a talent and the only reason he’s not played more this season is because of the form of the three centre-backs currently in Jakirovic’s best XI.
Nobel Mendy was strong in the 45 minutes he had alongside him. The other real bonus was the early performance of Robinio Vaz, who looked a real threat in the opening half an hour or so before he tired and faded.
Sorba Thomas and Mohamed-Ali Cho had their moments and Christos Mouzakitis produced one particular impressive piece of play towards the end to get a shot away, after coming off the bench. Jens Hjerto-Dahl will be better for a full 90 minutes in the side, it’s fair to say.
Crooks’ case
Despite all the new signings, City’s best for large periods was arguably the fit again Matt Crooks. He was everywhere in the first half, dropping deep to take on possession, progressing the ball with intent and he had the energy to pop up in attacking areas, too.
The promotion hero has been a little unlucky so far this season. He performed well in the opening day win over Manchester United before picking up an injury and dropping out of the side.
He did enough to stake a claim for a return to the league side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday but whether he gets the nod remains to be seen.
Possible Chelsea changes
It’s hard to see Jakirovic making too many changes to his league XI to take on Chelsea on Saturday, given the Tigers are unbeaten and they are now the only team across the Premier League not to have conceded a goal.
However, it’s fair to say the head coach will be mulling over one or two changes this week and right-back might be one. Brooke Norton-Cuffy looked the part when he came off the bench on Saturday and if he’s fit, he could be a viable option to start in west London.
Elliot Stroud has been a workhorse so far this season and he might be useful to have in terms of doubling up on the advancing Pedro Neto down the right.
Sorba Thomas definitely provides more an advantage on the break though and if City are to get a goal or two at Chelsea, swift counter attacks may well be the key.
Crooks will feel as though he has done enough to reclaim his spot in the middle of the park, but Lucas Gourna-Douath will be keen to keep hold of it and Tim Iroegbunam might just be pushing to play some part, too.