Sorry for the delayed match report, I am snowed under with college work, and it needs to be my priority as I will be sitting my A-levels this year
It is nice to escape the work by watching Hull City compete in the top level of English football. We have had a solid start to the season with two wins, two draws and a loss, which puts us in the top 10. We added to our points tally, earning a point against Everton in a 2-2 draw at the MKM Stadium on Sunday. They are one of the few teams who are undefeated and came into this game with three wins and two draws. We have managed to hold off Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa so far this year, and we required another top defensive display to fend off the Everton threat. And we did quite well.
It was a game of two halves: the first was uneventful, whereas the second included back-to-back action and four goals. The Toffees were arguably the better and more consistent side, enjoying 65% of the possession and 15 shots, with seven finding the target. They could have scored more. We were content with sitting deep and allowing their press, and it was working. They became frustrated and the first half became scrappy. We became more open in the second, and it ended up being an entertaining watch.
The gaffer made two alterations from the defeat in Newcastle before the break. One change to the backline as Mendy came in for Herrington. Another one on the flanks as Gelhardt replaced the ‘tired’ Belloumi. This was an unexpected change as Belloumi is one of the most in-form players in the league and our star player. Nonetheless, we lined up in a 5-4-1 as follows: Tzolakis, in goal; Coyle, Mendy, Egan, Ajayi and Giles as the back five; Crooks and Slater as defensive midfielders, with Gelhardt and Belloumi on the flanks; and McBurnie leading the line.
The first half was like watching Sunday League. The scoreboards were not working, the football was scrappy and dirty, and it was poorly officiated. There were moments of quality from both sides, but no product. We were strong at the back and were holding the fort up well, giving the keeper little to do. But Pickford was not called up for much either, as we were not getting the ball into dangerous positions. We had times when we worked the ball well around the box, but that final pass or shot lacked quality.
The only action in the period was when VAR was called into operation. Following a corner in the 34th minute, Tzolakis claimed the ball, but was knocked down and the ball was fired into Ajayi on the line. It rebounded to Brennan Johnson, and he poked it into an empty net. Black and amber swarmed the referee, with boos echoing around the stadium, calling for a foul on the keeper. A few minutes later, VAR announced they were checking for a potential offside. The referee was called to the monitor and then ruled it out for offside. Maybe I do like VAR.
We headed into the dressing room unscathed and still in the game.
The second half was much better, as both teams came out of the blocks quickly. We were the better side at the start, and in the 48th-minute managed to get ourselves ahead. It started with McBurnie on the halfway line, who weaved around men in white before releasing it up-field. The original pass was intercepted, but it hit Thomas and went behind the defender. Thomas picked up the loose ball, threaded it to an oncoming Gelhardt in the box, who cheekily chipped it over England’s number one keeper, Jordan Pickford.
However, we were unable to hold onto the lead for long. In the 55th-minute, they equalised from the run of play. They worked it well on the left channel with Niles on the ball. He looked up and crossed a perfect ball towards the back-post where Dewsbury Hall was free to head it into the back of the net. We could have prevented this. Why he was so free and had time was unfathomable. Somebody should have picked him up. After all, he is their best player and should require special marking.
To pour salt into the wound, they went ahead through in the 68th-minute, and we only have ourselves to blame. We were comfortable in the game and were pushing to get ourselves back into it. Thomas had the ball on the left channel, but his loose pass to Ajayi was intercepted by Dewsbury Hall. Ajayi did well to cut him off, but he was still able to knock it into space for an onrushing Barry. One-on-one with the keeper, he slotted it into the back of the net.
The gaffer made some vital substitutions, bringing on Belloumi, Stroud and Tim Iroegbunam. This altered the dynamics of the game as in the 74th-minute we equalised. Stroud on the left flank won his duel and drove into the box. He laid it off for an unmarked Belloumi, who sorted his feet and stuck it towards the bottom right corner. After taking a slight deflection, Pickford could not manage to get a strong enough connection on it.
The momentum from both teams died off in the latter stages, and it felt like we were all holding on for a point. There was very little attacking threat, and the defence was very compact. I felt we could have gone for it and even snatched all three points, but after five minutes of additional time, both sides settled for a draw.
A fair result in the end and neither can argue about it. We continue our impressive start to the campaign, demonstrating how we will compete against anyone. We face Fulham away on the weekend. They sit bottom of the league, struggling to pick up points. I am going to this one so I hope they do not decide to actually start playing football.
Hull maintain unbeaten home record with entertaining draw against Everton | The Independent