The Porto version of events that it was actually both sets of supporters chanting in support of Hulk and Sergio "Kun" Agüero. "Kun, Kun, Kun; Hulk, Hulk, Hulk," Cerqueira said at the time, demonstrating the chants. "These can be easily confused with racist chants."All of which was a strange explanation given that Agüero was not even on the pitch at the time. Incredible, you could say.
I wasn't at the game like tomtom but I listened and I'd say 0-0 was probably fair. After the first 10 mins or so it sounded like a really good open game (Tom said it was a cracker).Hull will probably feel they should have won it having had shots cleared off the line and hitting the bar etc but we created plenty of chances ourselves and could easily have nicked it.Really enjoying this Championship season. With only 12 points separating the top 10 I can see the race for the title / automatic promotion / playoffs going right down to the wire. There's not much between any of the teams and it's way more interesting than the Premier League (please win that though City).
After five minutes all I could think was “There’s goals in this”. Five minutes from the end - it still felt like there should be a winner, with McLean inevitably turning a flick shot over the bar then looping an overhead kick straight at the Brighton keeper. But goal-less it remained. The first half started sharply. With no major squad surgery, Barmby started Brady instead of McLean and it looked like Hull were set up with 5 across the middle and Fryatt on his own up front. Some were still taking their seats when a cleared cross from the right fell to a deserted Cameron Stewart on the left corner of the area, with their keeper scrambling back to his line. Realising he had time, Stewart cooly let the ball drop, took a touch and passed the ball perfectly past the Brighton keeper straight to a covering defender who had manned the line. Chances continued, with Roseigner and Brady combining well down the right – with Brady looking tougher, more sensible and playing to orders than in previous games. Koren was pulling the strings in midfield – and nearly played Fryatt through the middle twice. It looked like Brighton had done their homework, and rapidly crowded out Fryatt several times, stopping the little dink and run balls he seems to like. Brighton also worked hard to crowd out Stewart – though 15 minutes in he turned and ran onto a high ball that split the Brighton defence. With Stewart well clear of the last two, their keeper stopped tending his bouffant and charged off his line with an unexpected turn of speed. Choosing not to round the keeper Stewart tried to blast a shot and it smacked straight into the keepers chest. But this certainly wasn’t one way traffic for City and though Brightons defence looked suspect and their midfield a little disinterested, Mackail Smith gives them some muscle up front – and a smart turn and shot from the edge of the area warmed up Manone’s hands. Chances and half chances were traded from both sides with Brady overhead kicking a shot straight at the keeper and Manone saving twice from distance. As the half continued Roseigner took some yelp-inducing mid-air studs to his calf, ending his forward forays. Towards the end of the half the pressure was notably coming more from the home side and close to the whistle Stewart shot from the edge of the penalty area to be denied by the cross bar and possibly they faintest of touches from the Brighton goalie. The second half was equally entertaining – though frustrating - as again we seemed to just not quite make it in the final third. Maybe this was testament to Brighton’s stoicism, but from our vantage point in the East stand it felt more like chances not taken. Fryatt came close again, side netting rippled, and Mclean came on for Brady. This bought fresh impetus and Mclean style scrapping up front, which provided a bit of oomph that seemed to have left city at this point. Hard work around the box led to more chances again for Fryatt and City won a series of corners. None were converted, and our impotence at corners is a glaring gap in our arsenal – City seem more likely to score from a Manone goal kick than a corner. Cairney came on for a hard working Evans, who hadn’t had the best of games. What has happened to young Tom Cairney? Where is that talented, composed and creative midfielder who seemed to bloom when working with George Boetang for a few weeks in the Premiership twilight? He seemed sluggish, ineffective and disinterested – a shame. Still, the game finished with a few final chances, Mclean nearly flicked a low cross under the bar and at the death directed (another!) overhead kick at the Brighton keeper. Final whistle and a standing ovation from a largely appreciative though frustrated stand.We’ve not shipped a goal since early January but sadly, as with Doncasters visit, a lack of clinical finishing still seems to be preventing us from pushing into and above the playoff positions. However, whilst the result is frustrating, its great to see the Barmy touch at work. We’re not Ajax, but recently City seem to be playing their own version of ‘total football’ that’s far easier on the eye than Pearsons regimental 4-4-2 lines.
Such is the blessing of the shambles: if you limp in, nobody minds too much if you fall on your arse
