Hull 1 – Liverpool 3

Premiership Match Report

This was a return to Liverpool’s more patient approach, after their hugely attacking endeavours of late, with the team controlling most of the play in the first half, albeit with little striking opportunities around the Hull goal. Benayoun, brimming with confidence at the moment created one of Liverpool’s earlier efforts with a tricky little run towards the Hull goal. His strike was deflected and fell at the feet of Torres whose strike went close. The breakthrough came just on half time after a run by Mascherano. Boateng was adjudged to have fouled Mascherano on the edge of the Hull penalty area, but replays showed Mascherano was already tumbling when Boateng kicked at his ankles. The resulting free kick By Xabi Alonso deflected off the Hull wall giving Alonso another chance to strike, and strike he did. The deflected volley drilled low and to the right, past keeper Boaz Myhill. It was a brilliant strike that reflected Alonso’s fantastic season. Hull manager sensing Benayoun’s threatening runs decided a more physical approach was needed for the second half, and his dangerous runs were nulled. The sending off of Celeb Folan occurred when Skrtel blocked off the forwards run towards goal. Folan’s flaying arms left Skrtel tumbling to the floor and as he fell Folan lashed out kicking him in the abdomen. Although the incident that brought Skrtel to the ground appeared slight, the resulting kick was indefensible and referee Martin Atkinson had no choice with the red card.

Liverpool’s second goal came from a short corner from Alonso to Benayoun who whipped the ball into the penalty area. Hull headed the ball away which took a deflection of Lucas’s arm and it fell at Skrtel’s feet. Skrtel jabbed the ball forwards and Dirk Kuyt who was loitering headed the ball home from only a couple yards out. Hull may feel aggrieved by the hand ball but there was little Lucas knew about the incident.

Hull slowly creped back into the game and Liverpool gave them there opportunity when Daniel Cousin received a fantastic long ball from his own half. He layed it off for Geovanni who had made an unmarked run into the penalty area and easily converted from eight yards out.

Liverpool had two further opportunities to take it beyond Hull, but Lucas and Torres both didn’t hit the target. The third came when Alvaro Arbeloa made a penetrating run down the right wing. His shot saved by the keeper Myhill spilled into the path of Dirk Kuyt who easily slotted the ball into an open goal.

Match time and date: KO 3pm. 25 April 2009

Yellow cards: Hull City: Marney, Fagan Liverpool: Arbeloa.

Red card: Hull City: Folan.

Referee: M Atkinson.

Attendance: 24,942.

HULL CITY: Myhill 6, Ricketts 6, Turner 6, Zayatte 6, Kilbane 6, Fagan 5 (Mendy 61min), Marney 6, Boateng 6 (Manucho 78min), Barmby 6 (Cousin 61min), Geovanni 6, Folan 4.

LIVERPOOL: Reina 5, Arbeloa 5, Carragher 6, Skrtel 6, Insua 6, Alonso 7, Mascherano 6 (El Zhar 84min), Kuyt 8 (Dossena 89min), Lucas 6, Benayoun 6 (Agger 88min), Torres 5

How the match has been reported in the papers:
The Telegraph - Nervous Liverpool eke out scrappy win at Hull City
The Guardian - Alonso and Kuyt keep Liverpool's faint hopes alive as 10-man Hull slide further
The Times - Dirk Kuyt's brace keeps pressure on United
The Mirror - Dirk Kuyt scores twice to keep Liverpool snapping at United's heels
The Independent - Kuyt does the double Dutch but 10-man Hull put up a fight
Sunday Express - Kuyt brace sees reds home
Mail on Sunday – Kuyt brace keeps the reds in the title race

Sky Sports News - Kuyt helps Reds tame Tigers

BBC - Hull 1-3 Liverpool