Source: Daily_Mail
Burnley 2 Hull 0: Alexander at the double to heap pressure on Phil Brown
Burnley returned to winning ways courtesy of a Graham Alexander double on his 100th appearance for the club.[LNB]A composed penalty in the first half and then a spectacular drive from distance in the second helped the Clarets bounce back from last week's home defeat to Wigan.[LNB]Geovanni, who thought he had equalised for Hull with a free-kick which the referee ruled out, was then sent off to cap a miserable week for the visitors.[LNB]The game, the first ever Premier League meeting between the two sides, began at a frantic pace.[LNB] Dead ball expertise: Alexander scores from the penalty spot[LNB][LNB]The hosts did get some early joy down both flanks with Chris Eaglesand Robbie Blake providing testing crosses. But despite plenty ofattacking intent, neither side's goalkeeper was really troubled.[LNB]Hull's only real chance was a shot from Seyi Olofinjana which he did not quite catch on the edge of the box.[LNB]The opener arrived in the 19th minute when the referee gave a softpenalty and Graham Alexander marked his 100th appearance for Burnleywith a goal.[LNB]The spot kick came when Stephen Hunt clumsily brought down Tyrone Mears after a fine pass from Elliott.[LNB]The Hull players surrounded the referee but Alexander kept his cooland blasted the ball into the bottom-left corner of Duke's goal to givethe hosts the lead.[LNB]Hull, clearly lacking in confidence having taken just one point onthe road this term, pushed on in pursuit of an equaliser and somecommanding goalkeeping from Jensen helped Burnley weather the pressure.[LNB] Seeing red: Geovanni is sent off for Hull[LNB][LNB]The Clarets carved out another golden opportunity with half an hourgone. A fine pass from Andre Bikey sent Eagles scampering down theright. Blake took up a clever position at the near post but hisattempted chip sailed over Duke's crossbar.[LNB]Elliott had a thunderous drive beaten away by Duke at the near postand Eagles was then denied by a smart stop as half time approached.[LNB]It was an untidy start to the second period but Hull created the first chance and should have pulled level.[LNB]Striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink slotted the ball through forOlofinjana but instead of shooting the Tigers midfielder opted to playthe ball square for Kamel Ghilas.[LNB]The 25-year-old forward, who was already under pressure before he got the ball, fired straight at Jensen.[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Hot under the collar: Phil Brown observes proceedings[LNB] [LNB]A fine run and shot from substitute Bernard Mendy, which saw himbeat several Burnley defenders on his way, was initially fumbled buteventually gathered by Jensen.[LNB]And Hull then had a goal ruled out in the 67th minute for pushing inthe wall when Geovanni curled home a free-kick which Jensen could onlypush into the roof of his net.[LNB]And just a minute later the Tigers midfielder was given his marchingorders for a clumsy challenge on Fletcher which saw him pick up hissecond yellow. [LNB]The Clarets pegged their struggling opponents back with Eagles orchestrating much of their attacking work down the right.[LNB] Hard fought battle: Hull's Andy Dawson and Chris Eagles of Burnley collide[LNB][LNB]And a second, which was always on the cards following Geovanni'sdismissal, came in the 77th minute when Alexander fired home inspectacular fashion from 25 yards.[LNB]Substitute Kevin McDonald found the evergreen midfielder in space,he advanced completely unchallenged and unleashed a powerful drivewhich nestled in the bottom-corner of Duke's goal.[LNB]Burnley introduced Fernando Guerrero during the closing stages andhis pace proved a constant threat. But the scoreline remained the samedespite the hosts having plenty of chances to extend their lead. [LNB] It's Hell City: Hull launching £31m probe into ALL their transfers in past two yearsHow Saturday's Premier League action unfoldedBURNLEY FC
