Goals from ex-Blue Alex Bruce, Chuba Akpom and David Meyler saw Hull City to a comfortable victory over Town at the KC Stadium. Sub Bruce headed the opener in the 36th minute, Akpom made it 2-0 seven minutes later and Meyler vollyed home a brilliant third on 58.

Town boss Mick McCarthy made five changes to the team which drew 0-0 with Huddersfield on Saturday with Giles Coke handed his first league start alongside Jonny Parr, Kevin Bru, Larsen Touré and Daryl Murphy.

Cole Skuse (ankle) and David McGoldrick (groin) both missed out due to injury with Freddie Sears, Brett Pitman and Ainsley Maitland-Niles dropping to the bench.

Ryan Fraser (knee), Tommy Oar (concussion), Luke Hyam (knee) and Teddy Bishop (hamstring and shin splints) were also unavailable.

The Blues lined-up in a 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation with Murphy in the centre of the front three with Parr on the left and Touré on the right, and Coke, Douglas and Bru the midfield trio.

Former Town loanee Jake Livermore started in midfield for the Tigers, while ex-Blues defender Bruce and one-time trialist Eldin Jakupović were on the bench.

The Blues started on the front foot and first Douglas, playing the Skuse role behind Bru and Coke, and then Touré won freekicks in dangerous areas but Town were unable to create an opening from either.

The visitors continued to look the more dangerous side and on nine Coke saw a strike from the edge of the area blocked by Moses Odubajo after a corner had been cleared to him. The home side immediately broke but Andy Robertson shot high and wide.

In the 12th minute Ahmed Elmohamady crossed for Abel Hernandez, who headed into the ground straight at Blues keeper Dean Gerken.

But the Blues were still having most of the ball and the game was largely being played in the Hull half of the field.

Just before the quarter hour, with the Blues enjoying long spells on the ball, Murphy’s backheel found skipper Luke Chambers on the right of the area and his powerful strike was deflected into the side-netting.

The home fans were starting to show their frustration with their team when Touré was given the space to shoot a minute later, the Guinean international’s effort hitting a Tigers defender.

Moments later Hull were forced into a substitution when defender Curtis Davies was replaced by ex-Blue Bruce.

Gerken was off his line quickly to clear from Hernandez in the 19th minute after the Uruguayan striker had been played in by Robertson.

In the 25th minute sub Bruce picked up the game’s first yellow card for an ugly challenge on Bru 30 yards out from goal. Full league debutant Coke took the kick and curled a shot just wide of Hull keeper Allan McGregor’s left post.

There was a scare for the Blues just before the half hour when Elmohamady out-ran Jonas Knudsen and cut the ball back to Sam Clucas in space but the ex-Chesterfield man scuffed what was a very good chance wide.

Two minutes later, Coke got his name in referee Christopher Kavanagh’s book for a foul on Meyler.

The home side were beginning to quieten the Blues down and get on top and in the 34th minute Elmohamady sent over another dangerous cross from the right but Hernandez again headed weakly to Gerken.

In the 36th minute the Tigers went in front. Parr and Tommy Smith scrambled the ball away from Bruce after Clucas’s corner from the left had fallen for the defender in the box. But the danger wasn’t gone and Clucas subsequently sent over a deep cross from the byline to the far post and Bruce looped a header over Gerken, under the bar and into the net.

Murphy looked to hit back straight away, turning his man and smashing a powerful 30-yard shot, but straight at McGregor.

On 40 Tigers skipper Michael Dawson was booked for pulling back Parr midway inside his own half. From the freekick, Christophe Berra scuffed a header wide.

Two minutes later, Meyler volleyed not far over from the edge of the box, but a second Hull goal wasn’t too long in coming.

Parr lost possession, Odubajo broke down the left and sent over a low cross towards Akpom, who slammed home from close range.

Neither side threatened again before referee Kavanagh blew his whistle to signal the end of the half.

Town will have been happy enough with their evening’s work up to the final 10 minutes of the period having taken the game to the home side and enjoying a large amount of the ball.

However, they had created little in the way of clear-cut chances with Hull keeper McGregor not forced to make any significant saves.

For the goals, the Blues made heavy weather of clearing the initial danger then allowed Bruce to win the ball when it was sent back in, while the second came after possession was surrendered in a dangerous area.

With Town having a mountain to climb in the second half, McCarthy swapped Parr and Coke for Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Freddie Sears and moved to 4-4-2.

Four minutes after the break, the Blues were caught cold as Hull took a quick freekick on the right, Elmohamady sending over a cross which Gerken pawed from under his bar.

But Town were also making some early headway and shortly after Bru had felt he’d been fouled not far outside the box, Sears scraped a 25-yard shot wide.

On 52 Elmohamady broke away down the right having been sent away by Hernandez but Berra got across to block his shot.

Five minutes later, Akpom cuts inside from the right and shot just over, then Elmohamady volleyed over with the Tigers by now well on top.

And the home fans didn’t have to wait too much longer for their side’s third goal. Clucas’s cross from the left was deflected into the air to the edge of the box and Meyler took the ball on his chest and volleyed past Gerken.

Brett Pitman replaced Touré in the 72nd minute with the home side well in control and a Town comeback looking hugely unlikely.

Maitland-Niles squandered a rare Town opportunity as the game moved into its final 10 minutes, the lively Sears’s cross from the right deflecting to the on-loan Arsenal man, who shanked his shot at 90 degrees to the target.

With five minutes remaining Maitland-Niles was fouled by Meyler 25 yards out to the left of goal and Pitman forced McGregor into his first serious save of the evening down to his left, Clucas turning the loose ball behind. Following the corner, Douglas shot over from the edge of the box, the Blues’ final effort of another disappointing evening.

Town’s poor run of form continues with McCarthy’s men now without a win in five league games, having won just once in their last eight in the Championship. They have dropped to 11th in the table and are now without a goal in three games.

After enjoying a decent first half hour, albeit without creating much in front of goal, the Blues never recovered from Hull’s two quick goals shortly before half-time and in the end were well beaten.

Any hope of a second-half comeback was ended by Meyler’s excellent third and the Tigers comfortably saw out the remainder of the game.

Town’s early season dreams of an automatic promotion challenge currently seem a long, long way away with another tough trip to Nottingham Forest - where they are without a win since December 1999 - on Saturday.

Hull City: McGregor, Odubajo, Dawson (c) (Maguire 80), Davies (Bruce 18), Robertson, Meyler, Livermore, Elmohamady, Clucas, Akpom, Hernandez (Aluko 68). Unused: Jakupović, Huddlestone, Maloney, Diamé.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Coke (Maitland-Niles 46), Bru, Douglas, Touré (Pitman 72), Parr (Sears 46), Murphy. Unused: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, McDonnell, Emmanuel. Referee: Christopher Kavanagh (Lancashire). Att: 15,942 (Town: 456).

Photo: Action Images

cartman1972 added 22:48 - Oct 20 Effing useless, tedious selections by a has-been manager..... Chambers is absolutely shocking.
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dubblue added 22:49 - Oct 20 Firstly Mick's been lucky he followed two plonkers as manager, and to be fair he's done very well with limited resources. What's so disappointing with this season so far, is that the additions to the squad looked very promising on paper. But why does Mick not seek more cash to buy players? He must be every owner/accountant's dream manager!! Agree there is time, but no goals in the last 3 matches, 1 win in 8 is very worrying, almost in Jewell/Keane territory. To those who say Mick who do you suggest as an alternative???

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pumpee added 22:51 - Oct 20 Or.... Bart Parr Emmanuel Malarczyk Chambers Berra Smith Yorwerth knudsen Kenlock And long ball to Sears
2

GiveusaWave added 22:54 - Oct 20 We need to keep behind our team. MM has been one of the best managers we have had in years. An alternative at this point in the season is unthinkable. Most of the players we have brought in have been brought in with MM's style of play in mind. The free transfers we have brought in this season haven't worked and that's clear. Douglas is easily the best out of what is a very poor bunch. It's obviously going to be hit and miss on the free transfer side. Bru was a revelation, Bajner wasn't. We need to look into our scouting method once again and question its success this season. We have a players (plural) starting for us at the moment who would clearly struggle in the conference. Once Hyam, Bishop etc are back from injury this situation will dramatically change and we can expect good things ahead. We overachieved last season and are expecting the same this. Mid-table mediocrity ahead I'm afraid. Our expectations are way too high given our squad.

1

Seasider added 23:00 - Oct 20 My days of going away to far flung places during week are long gone;but well done the 456 who did. I can only rely on Radio Suffolk,Alex Mathie,TWTD and phone in plus Football League highlights. When team was announced I said it was set up for a draw.First 15mins were all Ipswich next 15 Hull started to come into it and it got worse from theron in. Alex Mathie said that whatever team Ipswich put out tonight would not be able to beat Hull who were streets ahead of us,like Premiership against Championship men against boys. It appears from comments that Chambers and Knudsen were again useless,and Bru was the best player out of a poor bunch. It sounds like Ipswich played the ball more on the ground to feet especially in the first half;but mostly in front of the Hull defence whos attack and midfield were far superior and had pace which none of our pedestrian team had,not a single one until Freddie Sears arrival. Micks comments during the past week concerning the supporters are not welcome. Other things he says like getting back to basics,heading kicking ,tackling,being brutally tough against opponents;scrapping,working hard,blocking. No mention there Mick about pass and move,taking on opponents,shooting on sight! Seems that our esteemed Yorkshire Manager is from the Vinny Jones school of football,rather than the Arsene Wenger university It must be difficult for him to try and mould a decent Championship side from others cast offs and freebies and have to sell your best players;so Marcus Evans must take a lot of the blame as well. I feel,especially at left back where Cressey(bought by Jewell)was sold to be replaced by a raw Mings who not as good but still ok.Now we have a donkey in Knudsen who isn't even Championship calibre. I never wanted this Manager because of his style of football,and boy he hasn't disappointed when nicking a 1.0 is fine regardless of entertainment,or lack of it;I have seen Managers come and go in 50 odd years and we supporters are powerless to influence Mr Evans poor judgement so expect we will have to put up with a mediocre side for the time being. I cant in all honesty see this side getting automatic promotion or even scraping into play offs as we did last year because of Derbys slump;and if by some miracle ITFC got there cant see this team or Manager keeping us there. Goodnight,pleasant dreams;but not of the Premiership

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HALLSJ added 23:02 - Oct 20 Absolutely shocking, wish I'd not got tickets for Forest. Have x2 anybody want them £15 each?
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essex57 added 23:03 - Oct 20 Guenchev agree whole heartily most people will not particularly dissapointed having witnessed it in the flesh long way home!!!
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essexbluey added 23:06 - Oct 20 Somebody had lost the plot and its not the fans.
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GiveusaWave added 23:09 - Oct 20 May get a few downs for this, but I thought Chambers played well. We had to soak up a lot of pressure caused by our midfield.
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bostonusablue added 23:09 - Oct 20 When are the deluded MM brigade going to wake up?? Given our form this season and for the rest of 2015 we should all be questioning the manager. He is more stubborn than any woman! We can all predict the back 5 for the next game, even after the crap they've put out this season. Our football is atrocious and the results are getting worse. Yes MM kept us up two seasons ago, but does that mean that he should not be held accountable for the drivel we are witnessing this year? We have too many fans who are happy with Championship football; we've been there far too long. His team selections are bordering on crazy and I'm sure, like me, most of us are sick to death of square pegs in round holes. We need a young, exciting manager with fresh ideas. I also wish we had a chairman who'd spend some bloody money. Of the millions we've reaped in on player sales in the past few seasons, what have we seen come back through the door: Coke, Douglas, £8000 for some Eastern European, Pitman, Tabb, and a bunch of bloody loans. This is not good enough for the club that I love and supported since 1981.

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Surco72 added 23:11 - Oct 20 Kirkmeister why are you not on here calling us idiots again for questioning the team selection ? Looks like we were right again . An idiot would select the same back 5 players performing badly over and over again , but we dare not question the manager .
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warktheline added 23:17 - Oct 20 Now we're hearing the 'over achieved ' !!!! Any excuse, but not the facts. WRONG PLAYERS IN WRONG POSITIONS, or alternatively SQUARE PEG S IN ROUND HOLES. Please explain why McCarthy persists with this! STOP kid gloving the real issues, your lame excuses are embarrassing.
7

runaround added 23:20 - Oct 20 Given our current form & Hull's defensive record, the result is no real surprise. Team line up seems strange, understand Skuse & Didzy injured but surely then we needed to play the likes of Sears & AMN rather then resting(?) them. No goals scored in last 3 matches despite having better forward options than in a number of seasons. 20 goals conceded in 12 matches despite having some very experienced defensive players in the squad. Seems to have gone wrong since we changed keepers although Gerken has made a few good saves as well as bloopers. Something is obviously going wrong & Mick needs to sort it out ASAP. I don't want another change of manager & still believe no one is more capable of getting us promoted than Mick in the current circumstances. However if he doesn't arrest this slide now then starting afresh maybe the only option. Only he & the players can do it now

1

Kirbmeister added 23:27 - Oct 20 Surco72- I can't argue with your comments!
2

H1960 added 23:38 - Oct 20 Seasider my thoughts exactly
4

FromIpswichToPhoenix added 23:39 - Oct 20 I'm torn. I don't want to drink the "Mick Out" Kool Aide, but Christ, somethings got to change. Players out of position, players keeping their spot who aren't working for it. We're hemorrhaging goals and putting nothing in the back of the net. Really hard to find a bright side at the moment. I don't want to scream for Mick's head, but if he keeps fielding crap, what options do we have left? You can only stick up for crap for so long before you start to look like an idiot.

3

bressinghamblue added 00:22 - Oct 21 I'm probably going to be slated for this, but until their first goal we played nice football tonight. I don't like the Douglas/Skuse combo, but with Douglas and Bru we had a good pairing. Coke adds nothing to the team, but Toure did well until Mick became tinker man and moved him across to the left. Your bad decision Mick. Where we really let ourselves down was upfront and surprise surprise, no right back to speak of. Their left winger shredded Chambo, Parr and Berra all in one swift move. Sort that back four out Mick or we are going to be mid table at best. Upfront, why oh why can't Mick see that we need partnerships. Didz and Murph, Murph and Freddie, or be bold and play all three with Didz behind. Add to that no real width from Johnny Parr and we got what we deserved tonight. Nowt. Mick, this is your team. Play round pegs, play partnerships, play on the ground, and play with a bloody right back. PLEASE. Rant over!

5

airliner added 05:59 - Oct 21 The midfield coke and toure what on earth was mm thinking. Unbalanced , outplayed, a joke , mm has to find a way to turn this around. Gerken needs to be subbed, no coincidence since he came back we have gone downhill .
3

Hegansheroes added 06:09 - Oct 21 Seasider sums my feelings up exactly. When MM was appointed I went into a deep depression which is now becoming critical & there is no sign of any cure
4

essex57 added 06:33 - Oct 21 Cant understand why everybodys slatting Gherkin with what his got in front of him of all the goals weve shipped dont think Bart would of made much of a difference. In reality the limitations of our squad were shown up on the first day of the season when we let a 2goal lead slip i havent since seen a realy decent consistent performance all season we are what we are a squad with a small amount of quality and plenty of endeavour.Never one to slate players off i do think that Knudsen and Murphy should be dropped as i feared he was a one season wonder and build a first team around the rest.I am always of the opinion the more players youve got to pick from the less consistent a team becomes.With that over i will fill the tank and off to Forest keep the faith coyb.

1

battyblue added 06:58 - Oct 21 I cant be bothered to post anymore nothing changes with this excuse as a manager now talking about more loans and i bet they will not be in defense, i believe Clarke could improve things here in defense. mm totally clueless.
4

tallguy6767 added 07:11 - Oct 21 To all you Mccarthy lovers you really need to wake up and smell the coffee! This arrogant, stubborn football dinasour has really lost the plot! Lets face it we got in the top 6 last season simply by Murphy s 27 goal haul without it we would of been nowhere near! Thanks for saving us the other year Mick but it's time to pack up and go! !
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Dwillams57 added 07:46 - Oct 21 Thanks mm and Marcus Evans. After being a season ticket holder since 1972 you have finally done what no other manager has done and persuaded me that this is my last season. Am fed up with making a trip from Essex to watch the most boring defensive football. Would love to see the team do well and will always support them but they will have to do it without me in future and i suspect a few others as well.

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Elizabeth added 08:14 - Oct 21 Just seen the goals this morning ... Players looked as if they didn't care less ! Where is the commitment that was apparent last year . We must go to Forest and get something at the weekend ! I COYB !!
1

Surco72 added 08:25 - Oct 21 Well MM you have changed the forwards , changed the midfielders ... heres a clue your keeper and back four are letting in loads of goals which puts us out of games by half time .
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