Hull City 2 Leeds United 0: match report

Telegraph 29/12/12
By Ian Baker
Neil Warnock is not often tactically outfoxed but even he would have to admit he did not get his formation and team selection spot on for this Yorkshire derby.
The Leeds manager opted to play a wing-back system to match up against Hull City but the move backfired spectacularly as Steve Bruce’s Hull marched further towards returning to the Premier League.
Second-half strikes from Corry Evans and David Meyler were enough to give the hosts the local bragging rights but in truth it should have been an even more convincing scoreline as Leeds were thoroughly outplayed, unable to fashion a decent chance in the entire 90 minutes.
“I’m very disappointed,” said Warnock. “Aidy White and Sam Byram did their best at wing-back but it was an experience for them. I went with Davide Somma up front and thought he was ready to start but it was the wrong decision.”
Hull will wonder just why they did not have a half-time lead with Sone Aluko and Ahmed Elmohamady dominating proceedings. It was the latter whose threatening crosses twice nearly led to goals for Robert Brady and Robert Koren.
Leeds’ frustrations with their lack of control on the game were apparent given their ill-discipline, which included a yellow card for Michael Brown for refusing to move one yard over the touchline while he had treatment on a wound.
Hull though ignored the injustice of failing to lead at the break and produced a stunning start to the second half to kill off Leeds’ hopes of getting anything out of the game.
Evans struck his first goal of the campaign, slotting home after being played through by an exquisite pass from Robert Koren on 52 minutes.
Four minutes later Meyler struck home the goal that clinched it. The Irishman is on loan from Sunderland and was expected to have been recalled by manager Martin O’Neill to cope with injuries.
He celebrated a shock start by heading home from Brady’s corner and there was no way back for Leeds after that.
Meyler’s future remains unresolved. Technically he can still play for Hull at Blackpool on New Year’s Day if O’Neill decides not to recall him before his loan ends.
Bruce said: “I’d like to publicly thank Martin. I spoke to him on Friday and we agreed he [Meyler] stayed for the [Leeds] game but whether he stays any longer depends on Sunderland.”

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