Source: SKY_Sports
Tigers and Magpies share spoils
Hull and Newcastle remain entrenched in the Premier League relegation battle after they drew 1-1 at the KC Stadium.[LNB] Brazilian playmaker Geovanni fired Phil Brown's men into an early lead but Steven Taylor had the Magpies level before the break.[LNB]With so much riding on the game, it came as no surprise that the opening exchanges lacked fluidity and became a battle of wills in the middle of the park.[LNB]However, the scrappy start soon gave way to an entertaining contest and it was the hosts who struck first after nine minutes.[LNB]Craig Fagan wriggled away on the left and floated over a pinpoint cross for Geovanni to nod home.[LNB]Newcastle looked rattled, but came back into the game as the half wore on and were level six minutes before the break.[LNB]Nicky Butt's centre took a slight deflection on its way towards Taylor, but he made no mistake as he guided a controlled volley into the far corner.[LNB]The second half began in much the same manner as the first, with both teams struggling to take control of proceedings.[LNB]Jonas Gutierrez wasted a couple of promising opportunities for the visitors, while Manucho was a threat for the Tigers after stepping off the bench.[LNB]Shola Ameobi almost got a look in with time running out, but defences were well on top by that stage and the game meandered towards a conclusion.[LNB]TrickyThe Yorkshire side were allowed to dominate the opening half-hour as Newcastle continually gifted Brazilian playmaker Geovanni space to attack.[LNB]The former Barcelona player threatened from early on with a tricky run into the box but Fabricio Coloccini covered.[LNB]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.[LNB]Hull then grabbed the lead in the ninth minute after a swift counter-attack started and finished by Geovanni.[LNB]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.[LNB]He powered forward to release 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.[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]HistoryFagan, who has history with Newcastle after his leg was broken in the reverse fixture last September, was booked for confronting Taylor following a clash between the pair.[LNB]Geremi was also given a yellow card moments later for a foul on Kamil Zayatte.[LNB]Sebastien Bassong then clashed with Hull goalkeeper Matt Duke in a scrappy passage of play.[LNB]But Hull retained the upper hand and Geovanni won a free-kick on the edge of the area after being clipped by Geremi. [LNB]His curling effort looked to have Harper beaten but it just drifted wide of the post.[LNB]Newcastle levelled against the run of play seven minutes before half-time when Butt crossed and Taylor flicked a well-controlled volley over Duke from the near post.[LNB]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.[LNB]Newcastle appeared to tighten up early in the second half and Brown changed things for Hull by swapping Cousin for Manucho.[LNB]BlockedMartins had a good chance on the volley for the Magpies but Hull skipper Ian Ashbee blocked.[LNB]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.[LNB]A good run by Geremi then allowed Martins to set up Gutierrez but the Argentinian curled his effort over.[LNB]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.[LNB]But Newcastle switched off again and Mendy should have punished them after breaking clear down the right.[LNB]Manucho was unmarked in the box but the Frenchman badly mishit his cross and a relieved Harper was able to gather.[LNB]Hull appeared to settle for a point as the clock wound down and they spent most of the closing stages defending.[LNB]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. [LNB][LNB][LNB]Hull City[LNB]Team Statistics[LNB]Newcastle United[LNB][LNB][LNB]1[LNB]Goals[LNB]1[LNB][LNB][LNB]1[LNB]1st Half Goals[LNB]1[LNB][LNB][LNB]2[LNB]Shots on Target[LNB]2[LNB][LNB][LNB]6[LNB]Shots off Target[LNB]7[LNB][LNB][LNB]1[LNB]Blocked Shots[LNB]3[LNB][LNB][LNB]3[LNB]Corners[LNB]3[LNB][LNB][LNB]21[LNB]Fouls[LNB]16[LNB][LNB][LNB]7[LNB]Offsides[LNB]2[LNB][LNB][LNB]3[LNB]Yellow Cards[LNB]3[LNB][LNB][LNB]0[LNB]Red Cards[LNB]0[LNB][LNB][LNB]61[LNB]Passing Success[LNB]69.5[LNB][LNB][LNB]17[LNB]Tackles[LNB]13[LNB][LNB][LNB]70.6[LNB]Tackles Success[LNB]92.3[LNB][LNB][LNB]40.2[LNB]Possession[LNB]59.8[LNB][LNB][LNB]43.9[LNB]Territorial Advantage[LNB]56.1[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]
