The Tigers made it four away wins in their last five
Charlie Hughes of Hull City celebrates after he scores at Southampton (Image: Getty Images)
Injury-hit Hull City recorded a terrific 2-1 away win at Southampton to complete the league double over the Saints, and move back into the Championship’s top six.
Kyle Joseph’s curling finish opened the scoring 20 minutes in after Oli McBurnie had pounced on a loose backpass to feed him inside the box, and it was 2-0 just after the half-hour when Charlie Hughes headed in brilliantly at the back post from Amir’s deep corner, just a fourth set-play goal of the season.
Ross Stewart came off the bench to pull a goal back for the hosts with a neat finish, despite his manager being booed when he made the change.
City had to defend their box well in the final stages without too much danger, and their impressive away run continued.
With injuries biting, two more youngsters were named on the bench, but there was positive news with Matt Crooks fit enough to be named in the starting line-up, and a return for John Lundstram after a lengthy absence. Hugh Parker and James Debayo, a recent academy signing after leaving Leeds United, were among the substitutes.
City started well, and eventually their dominance saw them carve out a good chance with Crooks’ cross finding Millar at the back post, and his header was going in the corner, before being palmed away by goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, and on the follow-up from a tight angle, Joseph couldn’t apply the finish.
The hosts’ first moment of danger arrived just after 10 minutes when Harwood-Bellis stepped forward and slid in Armstrong inside right but Pandur was out quickly to make a fine block.
A flurry of blocks on the line from Hughes and Egan then kept the hosts at bay after Pandur had spilt a backpost header, and moments later, he pushed away a drive from Harwood-Bellis as Southampton started to carve out good openings.
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Twenty minutes had gone by when Ryan Manning’s backpass was intercepted by McBurnie, and though he was quickly closed down, he rolled to Joseph, who curled in off his left foot to give City the lead.
Harwood-Bellis hit a post amid a flurry of corners, which were superbly delivered by the dangerous Leo Scienza, with the Tigers throwing their bodies in front of shots to keep the ball out of their net admirably.
City made it two in 33 minutes. Crooks’ shot deflected wide, and from Amir’s corner to the back post, Hughes rose highest to power into the net. That started chants of ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ and ‘Get out of our club’ to the Saints’ owners, Sport Republic.
Coyle took one for the team before the break, hacking down Manning when Southampton were looking to counter quickly, picking up the game’s first card, closely followed by Hughes, who clattered Scienza after Millar had gone down inside the box wanting a penalty.
Elias Jelert came on at the break for Quarshie, while Cathal McCarthy replaced Famewo and moved into the centre of the back four. Marko Salatovic was booked by referee Allison for something he must have said on the touchline.
Just under 10 minutes into the second period, Matty Jacob came on for Joseph, with Ross Stewart and Jay Robinson replacing Azaz and Fellows, to huge boos and chants of ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ towards their manager.
That change worked, though, with Stewart getting ahead of Hughes to prod in the net and give the hosts a lifeline.
John Lundstram made his return with 15 minutes to go alongside Joel Ndala for Millar and Coyle. Jander was then replaced by Kuryu Matsuki for the hosts.
In the final minute, Dave Akintola came on for Amir and Cameron Archer replaced Ryan Manning in the final throw of the dice which didn’t work. Marko Salatovic was sent off in the final seconds, but City saw the game out with relative ease and moved back into the top six with another gritty display on the road.
Southampton: Peretz, Fellows, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Quarshie, Manning, Downes, Jander, Azaz, Scienza, Armstrong. Subs: McCarthy, Stephens, Jelert, Wellington, Matsuki, Williams, Robinson, Stewart, Archer.
Hull City: Pandur, Famewo, Hughes, Egan, Coyle (c), Amir, Slater, Millar, Crooks, Joseph, McBurnie. Subs: Phillips, McCarthy, Ndala, Akintola, Lundstram, Palmer, Jacob, Parker, Debayo.
Referee: Sam Allison
Man of the Match: Charlie Hughes
Attendance: 27,117 (around 1,100 from City)
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