On paper, it would appear coming into the match that Hull City vs. Stoke City wouldn’t produce much to keep viewers interested.
On paper, you’d be right.
A forgettable match came and went with little action as both sides claimed an undeserved point from KC Stadium.
The first 20 minutes didn’t see many chances, although Hull appeared to be on top initially.
Defender Curtis Davies saw the first real opportunity in front of goal in the 25th minute, receiving a free kick into the box from Tom Huddlestone but putting the free header wide.
Hull began to assert their dominance in the possession battle, but failed to unlock the back end of the visiting midfield or the defense to put another good attempt on net.
Stoke finally managed their first attack in the 38th minute, when Stephen Ireland chipped through Ryan Shawcross on the wing, but his cross was too far in front of Peter Crouch.
The halftime break came without any real life to the match.
Unfortunately it was more of the same in the second half. Stoke at least found their footing, attempting to build through their crowded midfield, but they were poor in the final third.
Credit goes to the defensive lines, as we had to wait until the 61st minute for the first defensive mistake. Maynor Figueroa made a mess of a pass, and gifted Oussama Assaidi a break.
Assaidi was closed well by Alex Bruce however, and he failed to get a clean shot off.
Finally in the 70th minute, something happened in the match, but it was wiped clean thanks to the linesman.
Geoff Cameron worked the ball down the touchline, and he teed up Marko Arnautovic who sent in a wonderful cross. It found Peter Crouch who lashed at goal first-touch, and his shot was well saved by Allan McGregor. The rebound came to Ireland who touched into the empty net but the linesman correctly ruled him out on a tight decision.
Another great ball from Stoke City came in minutes later from Erik Peters, and Crouch went for the header but McGregor came out strong and clattered Crouch to collect.
Stoke continued to put things together, and Crouch got another great feed in the 75th minute from Ireland off advantage play, but McGregor was there again to dive and deny the striker.
The point puts Hull level with Swansea and Manchester United in the table, a sentence which could be good enough to get one institutionalized in the beginning of the season.
Stoke remain just one behind Hull City, alone with 18 points in 13th place.
LINEUPS:
Hull City – McGregor; Chester, Bruce (Brady 67'), Davies, Figueroa; Elmohamady, Meyler (Rosenoir 78'), Huddlestone, Livermore, Sagbo; Graham (Boyd 82').
Stoke City - Begovic; Muniesa (Pieters 66'), Whelan (Palacios 78'), Cameron, Wilson; N’Zonzi, Shawcross, Arnautovic (Adam 90'), Assaidi, Ireland; Crouch.