Town’s struggles against League One’s better sides continued as Hull City left Portman Road with a comfortable 3-0 victory. Mallik Wilks put the visitors ahead in the second minute, Josh Magennis made it two in first-half injury time and sub Tom Eaves made it three with 13 minutes left with the Blues, who are down to fifth in the table, never looking like they would get anything from the game.

Town boss Paul Lambert made four changes from the team which beat Shrewsbury 2-1 on Saturday with Luke Woolfenden, James Norwood, Keanan Bennetts and Emyr Huws all starting.

Woolfenden came in at the heart of the defence for Toto Nsiala, who dropped to the bench, while Huws was in central midfield with Teddy Bishop (ankle) and Jon Nolan (groin) both having picked up knocks on Saturday.

Alan Judge moved into the midfield three having been on the right of the front three against the Shrews. Brett McGavin continued in place of Andre Dozzell, who was serving the last game of his three-match ban.

Norwood was the lone central striker with Kayden Jackson among the subs, while Bennetts was handed his first league start for the Blues on the right of the front three with Freddie Sears continuing on the left.

Aaron Drinan returned to the bench for the first time since suffering a thigh injury in the opening league game against Wigan, while Oli Hawkins was also back in the 18 having missed out at the weekend due to knee and groin issues.

Hull City included ex-Blues right-back Josh Emmanuel and former Town loanee Callum Elder in their XI.

The Tigers made one change from the team which beat the MK Dons 3-1 on Saturday with Regan Slater coming in for Alfie Jones in central midfield.

After the teams took the knee in support of Black Lives Matter, the visitors took the lead with their first attack of the game in only the second minute.

Emmanuel fed George Honeyman to his left, who in turn played it on to Wilks, who was given time to hit a low shot past Tomas Holy to his left from just inside the area.

The Blues withstood a couple of promising Hull attacks in the immediate aftermath of the early goal before starting to dominate the ball, although without threatening.

On 23 Bennetts tricked his way into the box on the right of the box before hitting a shot which Jacob Greaves diverted out for a corner.

Town were beginning to look more dangerous with McGavin twice finding Ward with excellent passes, however, the Irishman’s crosses came to nothing. In the 25th minute the left-back took a dip at goal from a tight angle but the ball flew across the face.

Two minutes later, Norwood latched on to a ball over the top down the right and hit a shot which failed to trouble Matt Ingram in the Hull goal.

Town were forced into a change in the 32nd minute when Sears picked up what looked to be a hamstring problem. Lankester took over on the right of the front three with Bennetts moving to the left.

The Blues continued to see most of the ball but with Ingram untested. There was a scramble in the Tigers area following a Lankester corner on 38 but with no one able to get a clear sight of goal and eventually Bennetts dallied on the edge of the box and the danger was gone.

Almost immediately Wilks went to ground at the other end in a hopeful attempt to win a penalty before Hakeeb Adelakun’s weak shot was saved by Holy.

Chambers headed a Ward cross from the left to Ingram in the 44th minute and then Norwood was unable to get on a ball from deep from the Irishman at the far post.

The Blues were on top but were still to carve out a clear cut opportunity or significantly test Ingram.

And as the half moved into three minutes of injury time, the Tigers doubled their lead.

Reece Burke crossed from the right and an unmarked Josh Magennis beat Holy from eight yards with the Town players adamant the Northern Irish international was offside, however, the officials were unmoved by their protests.

Moments before the whistle, Chambers claimed a penalty when he was manhandled as a corner came over from the left but a spot-kick would have been a very generous award.

The skipper and his men trooped off after a half in which they had had plenty of the ball but as so often had been unable to turn possession into serious chances and goals.

At the other end, the Tigers had taken their two big opportunities clinically but with big questions over Town’s defending, and in the case of the second whether a linesman’s flag should have been raised.

The Blues had a mountain to climb in the second half if they were to maintain their 100 per cent home league record.

They started the period positively and on 49 Norwood flicked a McGavin cross following a corner towards goal but the ball was blocked by a defender.

The Blues continued to press and to try to find a way through the Hull backline but whatever they attempted they found an amber and black shirt in their way.

Hull should have made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute when Emmanuel, impressing down the right against his old side, crossed and Magennis, again completely unmarked, volleyed over when it looked easier to hit the target.

As Holy prepared to restart, the Tigers swapped Adelakun and Slater for James Scott and Jones.

Wilks had another chance for his side’s third when Bennetts gifted possession to the former Barnsley attacker in the Hull half on the Town right. Wilks broke away beyond Woolfenden, who made a desperate lunge to stop him on the edge of the box, but fortunately for the Blues Holy saved his shot from a tight angle.

Hull switched Magennis for Eaves in the 71st minute with the Tigers comfortably seeing out the second half.

Town had continued to huff and puff but with Ingram still untested. In the 72nd minute, Ward crossed from the left and Bennetts flicked a header wide.

A minute later, Ingram was forced into a save when Norwood was sent away down the left. The striker was on his own so hit a shot from a tight angle which the keeper turned behind.

Town replaced Norwood and Bennetts with Hawkins and Jackson as they prepared to take the resultant corner, which like so many of their set pieces came to nothing.

Any lingering hopes the Blues had of a shock turnaround were extinguished in the 77th minute when Eaves was sent away on goal after a wayward Lankester pass with Mark McGuinness playing him onside. The striker beat his former Gillingham team-mate Holy with confidence to make it 3-0.

Town continued to look for a goal in the remaining minutes but without ever going close and the referee’s whistle confirmed the visitors’ victory and an end to Town’s home league unbeaten run.

A Hull win never really looked in doubt from the moment they took the lead in the second minute. Town had plenty of the ball but never had the guile to find a way through the Tigers, who could well have won more convincingly with Magennis missing a chance as good as the three they scored.

If Hull as leaders are the benchmark for a team aspiring to automatic promotion, on this evidence the Blues, who are still without a win this season against anyone in League One’s top eight, look a long way short of that standard.

Had their been a crowd present, they would undoubtedly made their thoughts known at half-time and after the final whistle.

Town will have another go at beating one of the division’s top sides on Saturday when Charlton, who are down to sixth after a 4-2 defeat at Burton this evening, are in Suffolk.

Town: Holy, Chambers (c), Woolfenden, Nsiala, Ward, McGavin, Huws, Judge, Bennetts (Jackson 74), Sears (Lankester 32), Norwood (Hawkins 74). Unused: Cornell, Nsiala, Kenlock, Drinan.

Hull City: Ingram, Elder, Burke, Smallwood (c), Wilks (Coyle 83), Honeyman (Samuelsen 82), Emmanuel, Adelakun (Scott 63), Slater (Jones 63), Greaves, Magennis (Eaves 71). Unused: Long, Batty. Referee: Lee Swabey (Devon).

Photo: Matchday Images

Esseeja added 21:45 - Nov 24 I wouldn't want Danny Cowley, but Eddie Hearn is my number 1 pick if at all possible because he is the true definition of ambition, Paul Cook is number 2 and seems more popular. I remember when we wanted everyone else and Hurst was a minor vocal choice and we ended up with him with mostly positive views, if we end up getting another poor pick, we can't be positive about it as we have learned since Keane.

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Linkboy13 added 21:45 - Nov 24 When we were two nil down why didn't he go more direct. I would have played Norwood, Jackson and Hawkins we are not good enough to play a passing game. Defenders who play against us have never had it so good. Playing one up front you are inviting teams to attack especially the fullbacks.
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Suffolkboy added 21:47 - Nov 24 Be very interesting to see what PL has to say tonight ; we do not need the sometimes unintelligible mumbles , but some sign of a confident person who knows how to cope ,AND will get the best out of each and every member of our playing staff . Regrettably I am not only unsure this will happen , but becoming increasingly unsure P L actually knows how to make it happen. In interview he looks and sounds a busted flush ; what goes on in management discussions, what goes on in training ; are we so bereft of choice we cannot actually drop underperformers , and there's undoubtedly something fishy about the JW situation . Sadly I can no longer find belief in PL ,but he definitely needs to find it for himself ! Mr E now down to you to get this sorted ; as with C19 patience and goodwill are evaporating ! COYB

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Bluearmy_81 added 21:51 - Nov 24 Suffolk boy, down mark for calling evans Mr. He should feel lucky to be called evans by town fans
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DaGremloid added 21:51 - Nov 24 But at least the first team had a nice rest recently so they can concentrate on the league.
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Foreverdon_Blue added 21:52 - Nov 24 There is only one thing that this team are good at and that is disappointing their fans! I must say they are bloody good at that! This is the first time that I have said this but I now do believe it is time for Lambert to go. I personally believe we should try a foreign manager and try something different. It can't get any worse than it is now, surely!?!
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Dolphinblue added 21:52 - Nov 24 That was indeed a disappointing display......many, many injuries....chin up boys...🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬
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dirtydingusmagee added 21:52 - Nov 24 he wont get fired , we are f##ked, he has done nothing since he arrived except somehow pull the wool over fans eyes,and have a cosy contract extended for his ability to fail . Evans dosnt give a toss ,he hasnt a clue about running a football club or appointing a manager with genuine ambition. Lambert is like a Zombie, the team ,like the living dead .
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BobbyPetta11 added 21:53 - Nov 24 Terrible squad no money to invest from ME, no real additions other then freebies since the PH shocking recruitment! Lambert out is the obvious cry but we all know it goes deeper. It's going to be a long few years of rebuilding ahead.
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martin587 added 21:53 - Nov 24 Injuries aside PL is clueless.He is now void of ideas and as for plan b does he even know what that is.Why only play one striker I give up.My patience has run out with PL.🤦‍♂️
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ringwoodblue added 21:54 - Nov 24 Esseeja - I think you meant Eddie Howe but actually I don't think Eddie Hearn could do a worse job than Lambert 🤣
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LondonTractor added 21:56 - Nov 24 All the ‘Lambert Outers'... I agree he isn't that great, but I am not sure who could do any better with these bang average League 1 players we have. We haven't got one player that would get into a Championship side apart from Downes maybe (and he's injured!). Marcus Evans is entirely to blame for this clubs demise. Since he took over, literally nothing positive has happened at the club. He will be the man that takes Ipswich Town Football Club to its grave - and by that I mean League 2 or Non League. Everyone has got to accept that we are a mediocre League One club at best... the players, the management, the owner and financially. It's tragic, but true. At any normal club (West Ham or Charlton for example) there would be protests, boycotts and demonstrations to get Evans out. But not sleepy old Ipswich. I don't know how Evans sleeps at night.

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Dolphinblue added 21:59 - Nov 24 WE WILL BOUNCE BACK ON SATURDAY COYB!
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Esseeja added 22:00 - Nov 24 oh yeah fair enough Ringwood - I'm that angry about our performance I thought of a smart boxing promoter over an actual manager, whoops! I don't even think he would be bad at the job either.
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dirtydingusmagee added 22:01 - Nov 24 i blame the cardboard cut outs ,they are putting players under pressure.
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aloanagain added 22:03 - Nov 24 I really want to say that's it I've had enough but when you have supported the club as long as I have it's hard to do. Always thinking that we'll play better next time. The trouble is we never do. It's years now since we have seen anything relating to football, never get runs together only losing ones. Whatever manager comes along hopes are boosted but never materialised. I don't know where the club are going. If you can't give a good account of yourselves when you are 3rd what hope have we got. Others on here seem happy tif we scrape a win,finish top 6,surely we should be looking to win the league. Play the youngster's, they are playing, too many not good enough. Not sure where all this is leading to. Support the team.

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Buryblue78 added 22:04 - Nov 24 Well where do you start with that!? Last season we changed styles and players for every game and nobody knew who was doing what This year we have a very dubious plan A which is stuck to rigidly through thin and thinner No wonder we get worked out! Where's the benefit of playing most of our possession football using our least comfortable ball players and mostly in or around our area!!!!!! I assume that as PL has played for some big clubs he sees a point to that which I can't I could live with being beaten 3-0 by a really good side (unless they were from Norfolk) but Hull didn't really have to be good just clinical for around 20 seconds of the match to score 3 goals (2 gifts) Their keeper won't need a shower after tonight which is unacceptable especially at home Although I'd be loathed to go back to MM hoofball this "style" of football is crazy It's a dream come true for all opposition teams to play against Disjointed and porous at the back Ponderous going forward Felt sorry for Norward who chased everything and gave his all I'd build a team around him with a more attacking mindset MM was terrible at the end but we've gone way downhill since PL must be on borrowed time if he can't see what's clearly going wrong Rant over

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aloanagain added 22:09 - Nov 24 Cardboard cutouts. We'll have pictures of the team sitting there soon.
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Lathers added 22:12 - Nov 24 I'm actually that disillusioned with Evans and Lambert that I'd welcome Barry and Eddie Hearn in to run and manage the club. I'm sure they'd both do a better job.
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algarvefan added 22:14 - Nov 24 I always try to be upbeat about us as we have many young players, but tonight wasn't about tactics or players, it was about a lack of heart and effort on the part of some players. Those that had heart lacked the most basic of skills. Judge was awful, lots of puffing and panting but a complete waste of space, Huws spent the entre game looking like it was all a bit much for him. The players we have available simply aren't good enough, I can only hope that we can get the injured players back as soon as possible and firing on all cylinders. Finally for the love of God stop this short, playing out from the back game, the players can't handle it and neither can the goalkeeper!!! Put us back to a simple 4-4-2 and lets try to get the ball forward quicker and create some chances.

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RobsonWark added 22:16 - Nov 24 bringonbrazil added 21:13 - Nov 24 "Whoever did the commercial 5 year deal on Lambert last Christmas must have been on crystal meth. 5 years??? Why???" Come on bringonbrazil Lambert orchestrated the painting of Portman road and the training ground to give us more identity and the players a proudness for playing for the club - surely that was worth a new 5 year contract!? Can't you see how proud the players are to wear the shirt - especially over the last two matches? They don't care about the result. Would you if you were being paid £5-10,000 a week? Play the U18'S - I'm sure they would do better!! Every player apart apart from Norwood looked TOTALLY unfit. I thought Bennetts could be an amazing player for us this season but he tries to do too much every time and then loses the ball. When he gets a chance to shoot he fluffs his shot - maybe he needs to wear contact lenses??? I thought Hull's right back was the best player on the pitch...

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bernie added 22:16 - Nov 24 Don't think he will go , we need the fans back at Portman road than we can tell him what we feel , simply not good enough !! Think the virus is saving his job . Now in my opinion he's not good enough and should do the right thing, and there's other issues we have at the club . Now I not fully against Marcus Evens but dear o dear what was you thinking given him a five year deal .

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blue86 added 22:18 - Nov 24 Insanity, doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome..... mmmmm. Like mick mills said, where is our plan b? We are led to believe we have a great squad with a bigger squad to call upon aswell. So surely we should be tearing this league up then? Either the players are over hyped or lambert doesn't know his @rse from his elbow? Love town and hate seeing us existing in this league, especially as like jimmy walker said in this "very average league" sort it please ASAP.

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BettyBlue added 22:19 - Nov 24 the only answer for Paul Lambert is to say he is responsible and hasn't got a clue. If he doesn't he's even more deluded than I'd thought
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Carberry added 22:19 - Nov 24 PR Paul says we are useless at playing 2 up front in the Radio Suffolk interview, wow, an astonishing thing to say. Why didn't Brenner pick him up on it? Its yet another sign the manager has lost it and couldn't give a monkey's what he says. As Mick Mills said, the further down the leagues you go the simpler the game has to become, playing out from the back is for the big boys....which we clearly are not. Anyway look on the bright side, if we keep heading downwards a drop into League 2 will enable us to regroup and come back stronger (that's a joke by the way).

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