Stoke 2 Hull 0: Boateng knocked out as Tigers' dismal away run goes on

The good news for Iain Dowie is that only two of Hull's six remaining games are away. Hull's dismal away run stands at 22 league matches without a win and it was not hard to see why their 13-month barren spell goes on.At no point at the Britannia Stadium did they look capable of scoring and after Ricardo Fuller had given Stoke the lead in the sixth minute, the game was effectively over. Net result: Ricardo fuller (floored, right) puts Stoke a goal to the goodLiam Lawrence added the second goal late on but Hull were goingthrough the motions and down to 10 men by then after a nasty injury toGeorge Boateng when all their substitutes had been used.The experienced midfielder was kept in hospital last night with asuspected broken jaw he suffered trying to head the ball clear.He was caught in the face by Tuncay as the substitute Stoke forwardtried an overhead kick. A nervous five minutes ensued as Boatengappeared be unconscious but Dowie's verdict was more optimistic.'There was a great deal of concern because George had a lot of bloodin his airway,' said the SportHull boss. 'He was struggling to breathebut they suctioned that out and he was a lot more comfortable. That sinking feeling: Hull slumped to their second defeat in three games under Iain DowieThere was no malice from Tuncay, I think he was shocked too and hopefully George is fine, but it was one hell of a whack.'Matt Etherington was impressive for Stoke and Hull had some decentpossession but there was a shared lack of edge after Dave Kitson hadflicked on for Fuller to run clear and score. 'It was a joke goal,'said Dowie. 'It was one we couldn't afford to give away and thatallowed them a massive foothold.'Stoke's second goal was side-footed home neatly by Lawrence in the90th minute to take Tony Pulis' team past the 40-point mark, but theywere already looking up the table, rather than down.'That is enough to keep us in the Premier League for another year,' said the Stoke manager.'To get 42 points with six games to go is a great achievement.' Ryan Shawcross didn't mean to break my leg, insists Arsenal's Aaron RamseyTHE FIRING LINE: The clock is ticking for Hammers boss Gianfranco ZolaSTOKE CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail