Toon Have Played Hull Four Times And Not Won Once!

Last updated : 17 May 2009 By Footy Mad - Editor

Four times this season we have faced Hull, and with a team that boasts the wealth of talent we have ... don't you think we should have beaten them at least once or twice?

We didn't beat them once!

To remind you ....

Newcastle 1 Hull 2

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley was left in no doubt as to the feelings of the club's supporters as his crisis club slipped to an embarrassing home defeat at the hands of promoted Hull.

With Ashley and executive director (football) Dennis Wise nowhere to be seen, it was left to managing director Derek Llambias, the man with whom Kevin Keegan held heated discussions before his resignation, to bear the brunt of a concerted backlash.

Events off the pitch were not helped by events on it for the home side as a promising start was ripped apart by Marlon King's 34th-minute penalty, and by the time King doubled his tally nine minutes after the break, they were in meltdown.

Debutant Xisco pulled a goal back nine minutes from time, but there was to be no salvation on a day when emotions ran high on Tyneside.

The resumption of talks between Ashley and Keegan overnight had given fresh, if unlikely, cause for optimism, but it is hard to see why the 57-year-old would want to wade back into the mess which has engulfed the club he loves in recent weeks.

The Geordie faithful arrived at St James' Park in numbers long before kick-off as planned protests against Ashley and Wise provided the back-drop to the game.

Thousands of fans turned up to voice their support for Keegan carrying banners which left observers in little doubt as to where their loyalties lay, among them "Wise up, drink up, sell up", "Ashley and the Wise guy out" and "I'm only here to support my team".

Once inside the stadium, it was the latter sentiment which came to the fore as the supporters got behind the patched-up side caretaker boss Chris Hughton was able to send out.

Hughton named Spanish striker Xisco in the starting line-up, and he might have made a name for himself with his career on Tyneside just minutes old.

However, the Spaniard, one of only two deadline day arrivals as Keegan finally lost patience with the club's recruitment policy, could not make the most of his chance.

He headed a 13th-minute Charles N'Zogbia corner over the bar when he should have done better, and then failed to get in a shot after being picked out by Geremi inside the box.

Xisco was not the only culprit, and Danny Guthrie will know he really should have hit the target after Geremi once again worked an opening with 19 minutes gone.

Skipper Michael Owen, playing behind a front two of Xisco and Shola Ameobi, was seeing plenty of the ball, and it was he who almost broke the deadlock 14 minutes before the break.

The England international timed his run to perfection to meet Geremi's free-kick, but keeper Boaz Myhill produced a fine reaction save to keep out his deft header.

Newcastle did not have it all their own way and Shay Given had earlier been forced to make a smart 14th-minute save from King's snapshot.

However, the Irishman was finally beaten with 11 minutes of the half remaining after Nicky Butt slid in to try to block Peter Halmosi's cross and his momentum carried him into the Hull man.

Referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot and although Given got his hand to King's penalty, he could not keep it out of the bottom corner.

Geremi and Ameobi both went wide of the post as the clock ran down to half-time, but City survived.

The teams returned to find the crowd applauding warmly as a banner demanding "Cockney mafia out" was paraded around the stadium.

However, attention turned to the pitch with 49 minutes gone when Owen turned smartly on the edge of the box and headed towards goal, but he saw his long-range shot blocked.

But the mood turned ugly once again five minutes later when City attacked on the counter and found the home defence in tatters.

King ran on to Halmosi's through-ball and after cutting inside the recovering N'Zogbia, curled a left-foot shot past Given to make it 2-0.

The home side would have been back in the game had Guthrie's 58th-minute cross not run to safety after Myhill had tipped it on to his own bar and then got a fortunate bounce off the keeper.

Ameobi slashed a shot wildly across goal on the hour and was promptly hauled off as Hughton introduced midfielder Ignacio Gonzalez and asked Owen to partner Xisco in attack.

But the home side were in complete disarray and Craig Fagan sent a 66th-minute free header wide.

Newcastle's efforts to get themselves back into the game were laboured, but they pulled a goal back nine minutes from time when N'Zogbia's shot came back off the post and Xisco converted the rebound.

But the fightback fizzled out and Guthrie's misery was complete when he was sent off for a late challenge on Craig Fagan.

Newcastle: Given, Edgar (Bassong 68), Taylor, Coloccini, N'Zogbia, Geremi, Butt, Guthrie, Xisco, Owen, Ameobi (Gonzalez 61).

Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Danquah, Doninger, Donaldson.

Hull: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Gardner, Dawson, Mendy (Folan 73), Marney (Hughes 78), Ashbee, Halmosi, King (Zayatte 83), Fagan.

Subs Not Used: Duke, Windass, Geovanni, Ricketts.

Hull 0 Newcastle 0

Shay Given underlined his continuing importance to Newcastle with a superb performance to keep out Hull in the FA Cup.

The goalkeeper looked far from unsettled as he produced a number of fine saves in an entertaining all-Premier League third round tie at the KC Stadium.

Hull also thought they had scored when a Michael Turner header rebounded off the woodwork but referee Chris Foy ruled it had not crossed the line.

Newcastle had their opportunities too with Michael Owen missing two good chances.

The game was notable for the reaction of the crowd to Given and his Newcastle team-mate Danny Guthrie.

Given, after 11 excellent years at Newcastle, received a huge ovation from the visiting fans despite a statement from his representative this week suggesting he was considering his future.

Guthrie, by contrast, was public enemy number one in the eyes of the Hull supporters after the horror tackle which broke Tigers forward Craig Fagan's leg in September.

Fagan, coincidentally, was making his first start since that game and his battle against Guthrie added extra spice to the match.

Despite being booed heavily with every touch, Guthrie made a useful early contribution by playing in Owen, whose cross was headed straight at Matt Duke by Andrew Carroll.

Duke was making a rare appearance in the Hull goal in place of the rested Boaz Myhill in one of seven changes made by manager Phil Brown after three successive defeats.

Fagan also got into the action early on but shot well wide and Brazilian star Geovanni, restored after being dropped against Aston Villa in midweek, forced Given to save from distance.

Given had to be alert again when when Geovanni almost put Daniel Cousin through on goal after a probing run.

A poor shot from Nicky Butt inadvertently found Guthrie in space and his ball set up Owen but the England striker's effort was deflected for a corner.

Owen had an even better chance on 17 minutes when he beat Sam Ricketts and Duke to a long punt upfield but lifted the ball wide. Duke then palmed out a shot from Carroll moments later.

Fagan brought up a huge cheer after 26 minutes when he fouled Guthrie despite it being in dangerous territory, and fortunately for him Newcastle wasted the free-kick.

Cousin caused some problems for the Newcastle defence and good work from the Gabon international created an opening for Ricketts to shoot but Given saved.

Referee Foy became centre of attention when he felt it necessary to have a word with Hull boss Brown for voicing his displeasure at a decision. He then booked Fagan at the subsequent free-kick for failing to retreat 10 yards.

Newcastle lost Charles N'Zogbia to injury 10 minutes before the break with Jonas Gutierrez taking his place.

Given showed brilliant reflexes to deny Cousin from point-blank range after Fagan had beaten Steven Taylor on the right, the keeper touching his shot against the post.

Geovanni created the first chance of the second half with a run into the Newcastle area but his cross for George Boateng was underhit and Guthrie slid in to clear.

Newcastle then claimed a penalty when Owen went down under a challenge from Duke after a poor clearance by the goalkeeper but Foy was not interested.

Cousin worked space to turn and shoot after a Giannakopoulos cross but again Given was equal to his effort.

Ricketts then shot at Given before racing back to put in an excellent tackle on Carroll after Damien Duff had cut Hull open on the counter-attack.

Given then saved superbly again from a curling Geovanni free-kick and on-loan Sunderland player Paul McShane further spared Newcastle by firing over in the ensuing scramble.

Newcastle earned a remarkable reprieve in the 72nd minute as Given clutched a ball Hull were convinced had crossed the line.

Turner rose to head a Dean Marney corner which Duff headed onto the angle of crossbar and post.

Given smothered the bouncing ball as Hull claimed a goal but Foy and his assistant were unmoved.

Newcastle then almost caught Hull on the counter again as Owen fired over from a Butt knock-down.

At the other end, Carroll did similar when presented with a good chance and despite further openings at both ends, the sides had to settle for a replay.

Hull: Duke, Doyle, Turner, McShane, Ricketts, Fagan (Halmosi 73), Giannakopoulos, Boateng, Marney, Geovanni, Cousin (King 73).

Subs Not Used: Ashbee, France, Zayatte, Warner, Featherstone.

Newcastle: Given, Coloccini, Bassong, Taylor, Jose Enrique, Duff, Guthrie, Butt, N'Zogbia (Gutierrez 36), Owen, Carroll.

Subs Not Used: Harper, Xisco, Geremi, Kadar, Edgar, LuaLua.

Newcastle 0 Hull 1

Michael Owen passed up three gilt-edged chances as Newcastle were dumped out of the FA Cup by Hull's fringe players.

The England international fired over the top before the break and then saw another shot turned around the post by Tigers goalkeeper Matthew Duke before missing the target with a header at the death.

In the meantime, Tigers striker Daniel Cousin had needed no second invitation to seal a third-round replay victory when he converted Richard Garcia's cross from close range to book a home tie with Millwall in the fourth round.

The fact that victory was achieved without eight of Phil Brown's first-choice players simply rubbed salt into Magpie wounds on a night when both he and counterpart Joe Kinnear were sent to the stands by referee Phil Dowd.

Newcastle fielded a strong side despite their injury problems - Geremi was not included in the 18 as he closed in on a £1.5million move to Besiktas - and while the FA Cup may be the least of their worries this season, a second home defeat by Hull was the last thing they wanted on a bleak night in front of a crowd of 31,380.

That meant a rare chance for Spanish misfit Xisco, whose £5.8million arrival from Deportivo La Coruna in August was in part responsible for Kevin Keegan's departure as manager.

Brown had made no secret of his decision to make the league his priority for the season, and made eight changes, effectively fielding his reserves.

By the time the first half reached its mid-point, there were two more notable absentees, both managers having been sent to the stands by Mr Dowd following an angry exchange of views in the wake of Fabricio Coloccini's late challenge on Cousin.

There was incident on the field as well, however, if not a great deal of it, and it was perhaps understandably the Magpies who enjoyed the better of the half.

After a lively start, they went agonisingly close to a 21st-minute opener when Nicky Butt headed Danny Guthrie's free-kick against the crossbar with Duke beaten.

That proved to be a rare good quality delivery from Guthrie, who served up a series of later free-kicks invitingly for Duke, and although Charles N'Zogbia, who has spent much of the last fortnight angling for a move away from St James', Jonas Gutierrez and Damien Duff caused problems for City, they could not break the visitors down.

However, the Magpies were handed a glorious opportunity 11 minutes before the break, and it could hardly have fallen to a better man.

Paul McShane and Kamil Zayatte got themselves into a knot as they converged on a loose ball along with Owen and only succeeded in running into each other, leaving the striker in on goal.

But the £17million man blasted his effort high over the crossbar to hand them a reprieve.

Owen saw another excellent go begging within two minutes of the restart, although this time he made Duke work to preserve his clean sheet.

The 29-year-old managed to beat the offside trap to run on to Duff's clever pass over the top, but the goalkeeper managed to turn his effort just around the post.

Full-back Sam Ricketts had to make a vital interception to prevent Jonas' cross from reaching Owen or Xisco after the Argentinian had broken at pace down the left with 53 minutes gone, although Shay Given had to pluck Craig Fagan's 30-yard drive out of the air on the hour.

Hull skipper George Boateng's evening came to an end with 67 minutes gone when he was carried from the field after a crunching block tackle by Butt deep inside the home penalty area, Ian Ashbee taking his place.

N'Zogbia almost left his mark on the game with 20 minutes remaining when he embarked upon a mazy run to the edge of the Hull box, but his shot was well blocked by Zayatte.

But when the opening goal finally arrived with 80 minutes gone, it was at the other end when Cousin turned Garcia's cross home.

Substitute Kazenga LuaLua drove the ball across the face of goal, but just too far in front of fellow newcomer Andy Carroll three minutes later, but it was Owen who might have taken the tie into extra-time at the death, only to head another Guthrie cross over.

The final whistle brought a predictable chorus of boos from the stands as a traumatic season on Tyneside took a further turn for the worse.

Newcastle: Given, Edgar, Bassong, Coloccini, N'Zogbia,Gutierrez (LuaLua 82), Butt, Guthrie, Duff, Owen, Xisco (Carroll 76).

Subs Not Used: Harper, Taylor, Kadar, Donaldson, Ranger.

Hull: Duke, Doyle, McShane, Zayatte, Ricketts, Fagan (Mendy 74), Halmosi, Boateng (Ashbee 67), France, Garcia, Cousin (Folan 86).

Subs Not Used: Warner, Featherstone, Giannakopoulos, Atkinson.

Hull 1 Newcastle 1

Steven Taylor grabbed a crucial equaliser but Newcastle were still pushed closer towards relegation by Hull.

The Magpies are now in deep trouble at the bottom of the Premier League after being forced to settle for a draw at the KC Stadium.

But their plight could have been worse had Taylor not replied to the inspirational Geovanni's early effort.

Newcastle now face Arsenal and Chelsea in the next fortnight and their top-flight status is looking precarious.

Chris Hughton remains in caretaker charge in the continued absence of Joe Kinnear and the club have won only one of their last 11 games.

They were at least buoyed by the return of Michael Owen after five games out with an ankle injury but the striker had a quiet comeback and was withdrawn after 72 minutes.

Hull were certainly happier to take a draw and inch another point closer to their survival target.

The Tigers were allowed to dominate the opening half-hour as Newcastle continually gifted Brazilian playmaker Geovanni space to attack.

The former Barcelona player threatened from early on with a tricky run into the box but Fabricio Coloccini covered.

Bernard Mendy also had an opening on the right but, after initially getting the better of Jose Enrique, the Newcastle left-back recovered and blocked.

Hull grabbed the lead in the ninth minute after a swift counter-attack started and finished by Geovanni.

His spat with manager Phil Brown after being substituted a fortnight ago consigned to the past, Geovanni relished the chance to break from inside his own half after a Newcastle attack broke down.

He powered forward to release Craig Fagan down the left and then continued his run into the box to head firmly past Steve Harper after being picked out by a fine return cross.

It was his seventh goal for Hull since his summer move from Manchester City but his first since playing against his former club in November.

Obafemi Martins curled a shot just over as Newcastle tried to respond but a wide-open Geovanni caught the visitors out again, only to deliver a poor cross.

Fagan, who has history with Newcastle after his leg was broken in the reverse fixture last September, was booked for confronting Steven Taylor following a clash between the pair.

Geremi was also given a yellow card moments later for a foul on Kamil Zayatte.

Sebastien Bassong then clashed with Hull goalkeeper Matt Duke in a scrappy passage of play.

But Hull retained the upper hand and Geovanni won a free-kick on the edge of the area after being clipped by Geremi. His curling effort looked to have Harper beaten but it just drifted wide of the post.

Newcastle levelled against the run of play seven minutes before half-time when Nicky Butt crossed and Taylor flicked a well-controlled volley over Duke from the near post.

Daniel Cousin had a chance to restore Hull's lead before the break but shot well wide and Fagan also fired over with an overhead kick.

Newcastle appeared to tighten up early in the second half and Brown changed things for Hull by swapping Cousin for Manucho.

Martins had a good chance on the volley for the Magpies but Hull skipper Ian Ashbee blocked.

Manucho, buoyed by his late winner at Fulham, was quickly into the action and forced Harper to save low down after being fed by Mendy.

A good run by Geremi then allowed Martins to set up Jonas Gutierrez but the Argentinian curled his effort over.

Martins had another chance after getting ahead of Sam Ricketts but he could not make firm contact with a shot as Duke closed him down.

But Newcastle switched off again and Mendy should have punished them after breaking clear down the right.

Manucho was unmarked in the box but the Angolan badly scuffed his cross and a relieved Harper was able to gather.

Hull appeared to settle for a point as the clock wound down and they spent most of the closing stages defending.

Newcastle pressed but were unable to find a way through and, with their difficult run-in ahead, only time will tell if the draw proves good enough.

Hull: Duke, Ricketts, Turner, Gardner, Kilbane, Mendy (Barmby 80), Ashbee, Zayatte, Geovanni, Fagan (Garcia 70), Cousin (Manucho 54).

Subs Not Used: Myhill, Dawson, Hughes, Halmosi.

Newcastle: Harper, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique, Smith (Ryan Taylor 75), Butt, Geremi, Gutierrez, Owen (Ameobi 73), Martins.

Subs Not Used: Forster, Duff, Lovenkrands, Edgar, Carroll.