Source: Daily_Mail
Hull 0 Sunderland 1: Tigers effectively doomed to the Championship after Darren Bent's strike
Hull's two-year stay in the Barclays Premier League is effectively over after they were beaten at home by Sunderland thanks to Darren Bent's seventh-minute goal.[LNB]The result coupled with West Ham's win over Wigan means the Tigers are six points from safety with two games left and with a vastly inferior goal difference.[LNB]It could have been different had Jimmy Bullard scored a 41st-minute penalty rather than hit a post, while both sides were reduced to 10 men in first-half injury-time after an off-the-ball clash between Jozy Altidore and Alan Hutton.[LNB]Hull boss Iain Dowie said before the match he would make changes and he was as good as his word, bringing creativity into the side in the form of Geovanni and Nick Barmby and reverting to 4-4-2 with Altidore and Caleb Folan up front.[LNB] Bleak town: Jimmy Bullard - who missed a first-half penalty - shows his dejection[LNB] [LNB]But Hull again made a woeful start and they could have been a goaldown inside three minutes when Steed Malbranque found space inside thearea. He teed up Jordan Henderson but the youngster made a mess of hisside-footed effort from 10 yards.[LNB]Dowie must have been hoping the return of Anthony Gardner wouldshore up a leaky defence but moments later Malbranque was in again.This time he took the shot himself from a similar distance but it waswell over the bar.[LNB]Hull could have had no complaints, though, when the visitors didtake the lead in the seventh minute. A cross from right-back Hutton washeaded across goal by Kenwyne Jones for Bent to tap in his 25th goal ofthe season from a tight angle.[LNB]The hosts at last strung a move together in the 19th minute butBarmby's cross was deflected behind and Folan could not get the ballout of his feet when the corner fell to him at the far post.[LNB]Missed chances have hurt Hull all season and they should have beenlevel in the 26th minute when Bullard's corner landed on the head ofGardner six yards out but his effort hit the chest of Gordon and wascleared away.[LNB] Pure delight: Sunderland celebrate Darren Bent's goal[LNB]It was a much more even game now and another searching Bullard crosspicked out Barmby for a header over the bar, then in the 36th minutethe hosts had another great opening when Altidore played Folan through.[LNB]He chose to shoot early as Hutton came in with a challenge and Gordon did well to tip the shot behind for a corner.[LNB]Folan was then involved in the incident that should have seen theTigers draw level in the 41st minute. The striker looked slightlyfortunate to get away with what appeared a tug on Hutton but the ballfell to Geovanni and he was sent tumbling in the area by Hull old boyMichael Turner.[LNB]Bullard is usually a confident penalty taker but he did not hit theball cleanly and it rebounded to safety off Gordon's right-hand post.[LNB]With the referee about to blow the whistle for half-time, both sideswere dramatically reduced to 10 men. Altidore and Hutton challenged forthe ball near the byline, with the Sunderland defender then foolishlythrowing the ball at the head of his opponent.[LNB]Altidore responded by headbutting Hutton, earning an immediate redcard. With Sunderland boss Steve Bruce making his displeasure known atthe Hull striker'schallenge, referee Lee Probert waited for Hutton to receive treatmentbefore, somewhat harshly, also giving the Scot his marching orders.[LNB] Head case: Hull City's Jozy Altidore (left) clashes with Sunderland's Alan Hutton (right). Both players were sent off (below) by referee Lee Probert[LNB] Both managers made changes for the second half, with Phil Bardsleyand Anton Ferdinand coming on for Turner and Malbranque for Sunderland,while Cairney replaced Bullard for the hosts.[LNB]A foul on Cairney 25 yards out presented Geovanni with a decentopportunity but he could only strike his free-kick into the middle ofthe wall.[LNB]Hull were grateful to Duke for keeping them in the game in the 67th minute, the keeper tipping away Cana's 25-yard effort.[LNB]The Tigers were struggling to create chances but they came close tolevelling in bizarre fashion in the 72nd minute. Andy Dawson's shotfrom 20 yards did not look like it would trouble Gordon but it bouncedup sharply, forcing the keeper to punch the ball away.[LNB] That sinking feeling: Hull's football management consultant Iain Dowie shows the strain[LNB] [LNB]At the other end David Meyler shot wide of the near post whileDowie's final roll of the dice was to bring on striker Mark Cullen forhis first Premier League appearance on his 18th birthday.[LNB]The Hull fans gave a hearty cheer when Bruce was sent to the standsfor one comment too many to the officials, but they knew their fate andthe finalwhistle brought resignation as a number of home players slumped to the turf. [LNB] Sunderland boss Bruce: We started Hull's demise by swooping for TurnerSunderland boss Steve Bruce vows to keep hot shot Darren Bent HULL CITY FC
