Hull City and West Bromwich Albion played out a 0-0 draw in Saturday afternoon's Premier League clash at the KC Stadium.
The visitors were gifted a penalty in the eighth minute when Jake Livermore fouled Victor Anichebe in the Tigers box, but Allan McGregor came to the rescue with a diving save from Graham Dorrans's spot kick.
After a tense, turgid first half, the second period proved more lively, with Hull dominating proceedings, but the Baggies had their chances and could have scored were it not for McGregor's skills and alertness.
Ultimately, the match finished goalless, with Steve Bruce's side dropping into the bottom three and Alan Irvine's charges hovering just above in 16th place.
Find out how the afternoon unfolded with Sports Mole's live match commentary below.
Good afternoon everybody and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League clash between Hull City and West Bromwich Albion at the KC Stadium today!
Here are the team news for this afternoon's game...
HULL CITY STARTING XI: McGregor, Rosenior, Chester, Meyler, Huddlestone, Hernandez, Livermore, Dawson, Aluko, Elmohamady, Quinn
WEST BROM STARTING XI: Foster, Wisdom, McAuley, Lescott, Pocognoli, Dorrans, Morrison, Mulumbu, Gardner, Sessegnon, Anichebe
HULL CITY SUBS: Jakupovic, Bruce, Davies, Brady, Jelavic, Sagbo, Robertson
WEST BROM SUBS: Myhill, Gamboa, Dawson, Baird, Varela, Berahino, Ideye
The big news for the Tigers is that forward Abel Hernandez is back in the squad after missing two matches on to attend the birth of his child in Uruguay. He replaces Nikica Jelavic up front.
West Brom manager Alan Irvine is certainly under pressure, and has decided to make four changes today. Saido Berahino, who has not scored in any of his last five matches - a run stretching 436 minutes - is dropped in favour of James Morrison.
Baggies captain Chris Brunt isn't involved today as he suffered a hamstring injury against West Ham in midweek, with Youssouf Mulumbu taking his place. Craig Dawson and Chris Baird are also omitted, with Sebastien Pocognoli and Gareth McAuley slotting into their team's starting XI instead. Wholesale changes by the under-fire West Brom manager.
The only other change for Hull is that Mohamed Diame, out with a knee injury, is replaced by Sone Aluko.
Both Hull and West Brom have been struggling in recent weeks, with today's hosts having secured just one win in their last 13 games, while the Baggies only one in eight. They're both hovering just above the drop zone, so this could be one of the season's first six-pointers.
Steve Bruce's charges go into this game having only just ended a run of four straight defeats with a draw at Everton on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the visitors arrive at the KC having suffered four losses in a row. Both will no doubt be suffering from low confidence.
Bruce himself has highlighted the importance of the following few weeks. He told the club's official website earlier this week: "We've got a huge month coming up now. For me, this is the defining month of the season."
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Only as far back as last month, Saido Berahino was the talk of the town, his seven league goals leading to acclaim and talk of an England call-up. However, the 21-year-old has not netted since the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace back in October - that's 436 minutes without a goal - and has been dropped to the bench for today's game. Could all the media attention have distracted him? Or is it just a temporary mid-term blip?
Baggies boss Irvine believes that it could be a bit of both. He told reporters this week: "There has been a lot of focus and emphasis on a young player. He has handled it well overall but I don't think anyone would be surprised if his form dropped off a little, which is what has probably happened. But I also believe he will come back, I think the goals will come again."
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Interestingly, West Brom have never beaten Hull in the Premier League. The Tigers have won twice and drawn twice. That said, the Baggies did beat Hull 3-2 in the League Cup third round in September, scoring two goals in the last four minutes. It will be hard to call today.
PUNDIT PREDICTION! Let's see what the chaps on the Sports Mole sofa have to say.
(Seriously, I would love to sit on that settee one day. The way it's going, it'll be more famous than the Iron Throne.)
Chelsea - who have just this minute lost their unbeaten record against Newcastle United - and Swansea City are Hull's next two opponents in the run up to Christmas, meaning that a victory today is an absolute must for a side that are looking increasingly troubled as the season goes on.
Meanwhile, West Brom's next two games in the run-up to Christmas are against Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers. Two sides in the lower half of the table, meaning that taking points off of them is going to be absolutely crucial if the Baggies want to get their season back on track.
Hull will surely be glad that 2014 is coming to a close. They have won only six Premier League games in 2014 so far, drawing eight and losing 19.
West Brom, however, may struggle in front of goal today. They have scored just five goals in their last 11 Premier League games on the road and never more than once in this run.
PREDICTION: Today really will be hard to call. Hull have an ever-so-slight advantage in terms of form, given that they battled their way to a hard-earned point in midweek against Everton, but my gut instinct tells me that today's game will end 1-1.
I haven't nailed a single commentary prediction yet this season, mind. So let's just wait and see what happens in the next 90+ minutes. Just five minutes until kickoff folks!
Both teams are out at the KC - kickoff is just moments away!
Michael Oliver is the referee today. The teams are just changing ends now so the hosts will go from left to right.
KICKOFF! The game is underway! The Baggies have kicked off here at the KC, with Sessegnon and Morrison getting things started.
Tackles early on as Sessegnon goes down on the edge of the box, then Anichebe does the same after a Dawson challenge. Free kick given to Hull though.
Probing efforts as the Tigers win a corner but Quinn's delivery is poor, while moments later at the other end, Meyler's low cross is cleared by Wisdom with Hernandez coming inside the six-yard box.
PENALTY! West Brom have been given a penalty after Livermore dragged Anichebe to the ground! Graham Dorrans to take this...
SAVED! Goalkeeper Allan McGregor dives low to his left and palms the spot kick away! Missed opportunity for the Baggies right there!
Hull go straight up the pitch following McGregor's great save. They will be galvanised by this, no doubt, while West Brom will be rueing the miss and will really need to dust themselves off.
CHANCES! And picking themselves up they seem to be doing! Anichebe turns inside the box but sees his strike blocked by Dawson and out for a corner. From the set piece, Mulumbu latches onto the ball and volleys goalwards, appealing for a penalty after the ball appears to hit Huddlestone. Nothing given.
El Mohamady gets the ball to Aluko from a throw-in before receiving it back again, but the attack meets a premature end with a poor cross that is easily dealt with by McAuley.
Little happening right now. West Brom push forward in numbers, but Hull's defence remains steadfast, with possession switching between both sides. Hull are playing out patiently from the back.
Meyler does well to win the ball outside the Baggies box down the right flank, but his effort is well blocked by McAuley. It all seems to be concentrated down that right-hand side.
Gardner breaks forward before attempting to set up Anichebe, but the Tigers are back in numbers and resolute, and West Brom are unable to find a way through. Still deadlocked at 0-0 here at the KC.
Sessegnon is brought down by Dawson, the referee awarding a free kick to West Brom inside Hull's half. Dorrans takes and finds McAuley, but the defender is unable to head the ball down into the path of Anichebe.
West Brom patiently pass the ball but are unable to find an opening. Wisdom holds onto the ball for too long and Hull seize back possession. Following the penalty, the game has been bereft of much action.
At the other end, Rosenior wins a free-kick on the left wing after Sessegnon's obstruction. Huddlestone takes it but to little effect. West Brom are then awarded a free kick of their own after Quinn brings down Pocognoli from behind.
ELSEWHERE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE: If anybody is interested, Stoke City are leading Arsenal 2-0 after 35 minutes in their game at the Britannia.
Hull try to proceed down the right flank through Meyler and El Mohamady, but Pocognoli ends up winning the ball back near the corner flag.
CHANCE! El Mohamady whips a cross towards the edge of the West Brom penalty area, which finds Hernandez. The Uruguayan's header, however, ends up well wide of Foster's far post.
Around five minutes to half time and there's been just six shots in this game. Only one was on target - the penalty. Just now, Aluko managed to stop Morrison getting on the end of a Dorrans cross.
The ball is whipped into the penalty area by Wisdom. McGregor jumps and is brought crashing to the ground by Anichebe, resulting in a free kick for Hull. The Baggies striker is not happy.
ELSEWHERE: Wow. Stoke are leading Arsenal 3-0, and it's not even half time in that game. London's leading sides are not having a good weekend thus far, are they?
The fourth official indicates one minute of added time here at the KC.
HALF TIME: HULL CITY 0-0 WEST BROM
Well, what can we say? It's not been a classic by any means here at the KC. Aside from the penalty incident in the first ten minutes, which drew a great diving save from McGregor, it's been pretty dour. As I said before, six shots in the whole first 45, the only one on target being the spot kick... the only saving grace for either manager is that neither team is losing. However, a draw won't do either team any good, to be fair.
Hull have arguably been the better of the two sides, but the West Brom defence has been immovable today. Aluko and Hernandez haven't exactly shone either - goalkeeper Foster has had barely anything to deal with during the opening half.
On the plus side, Jelavic and Berahino are ready to be called upon by their respective managers from the bench to try and inject a bit more attacking fervour. Certainly options to consider.
West Brom have dominated possession, but have lacked penetration in the final third. Not long until the second half now, and I'll certainly be hoping for a little bit more action and entertainment from both teams, as will the fans at the KC, I'm sure.
PICTURE: An action shot of Dorrans's spot kick in the ninth minute, saved by McGregor.
Both sides are back out on the KC turf, with the sun fading away from the Hull sky as we speak. Not long to go until the second half is underway.
KICKOFF: Huddlestone and Quinn get the second period underway. No changes for either side at the break.
CHANCE! A lively start from the hosts as Aluko does well to keep possession under pressure before finding Hernandez, but the Uruguayan's low shot from 20 yards is well wide of the West Brom goal.
CHANCE! Did Bruce administer the hairdryer treatment to his players in the changing rooms? The Tigers are flying in these opening stages, Aluko working his way in from the left before shooting from 25 yards. Wide again, though. The intent is there, but the accuracy isn't.
Meyler sets up Aluko with a deft through-ball, but a poor first touch ends up sending the ball out for a goal kick. The Nigerian claims he was pushed to the ground by Lescott, but the referee waves it away.
Coming up towards the hour mark and neither goalkeeper has really been tested as of yet. Hull may be making a double substitution as we speak.
CHANCE! And of course as soon as I say that, a concrete chance comes our way! Quinn gets on the end of Livermore's cross but his header is pushed away by Foster. The first chance on target from open play in this game, better late than never I suppose!
SUBSTITUTIONS: A double change from Bruce as Andy Robertson and Robbie Brady replace Liam Rosenior and Stephen Quinn.
BOOKING: First chance on target, first substitutions, and now the first booking of the game, as Meyler is shown a yellow card after lunging into Gardner.
CHANCE! The home side get the ball into the box and after Dawson's shot is blocked, Livermore attempts a follow-up, but it's too weak to trouble Foster.
Livermore and Hernandez link up well before the former's subsequent through-ball is poorly hit and Lescott is easily able to clear the danger. It's all Hull at the minute.
SUBSTITUTION: First change for the Baggies today as Silvestre Varela replaces Stephane Sessegnon.
ELSEWHERE: Well, Stoke had the ball in the back of the Arsenal net a few minutes ago, but that goal was disallowed. Would have been 4-0 then. But now, the Gunners have pegged it back to 3-2.
A poor clearance from Foster gifts Hull the opportunity to break away quickly, but Brady ends up being flagged for offside. Still 0-0 here at the KC, and despite increased signs of life from both sides, this game is on course to end goalless unless we have a spark from somewhere.
CHANCE! And what do you know, we very nearly had a spark right then! Huddlestone gifts the Baggies a free kick after his foul, with Gardner's dipping 25-yard free-kick drawing a stunning save from McGregor!
SUBSTITUTION: Saido Berahino replaces Victor Anichebe. Can he work his magic after coming off the bench? He has just under 20 minutes to make a difference for the Baggies!
CHANCE! Mulumbu is penalised after a foul on Huddlestone, gifting Hull a free kick. From Brady's delivery, Hernandez gets a header on the ball, but it whizzes just wide of the left post. Foster was beaten there.
SUBSTITUTION: Another attacking change in the game as Nikica Jelavic replaces Sone Aluko for the hosts.
Final 10 minutes of the game now, and it's still on a knife-edge. Goalless but with both sides having had arguably their best chances of the game in the last few minutes, there may still be some drama left in this game!
SUBSTITUTION: West Brom make their final change of the game, as Brown Ideye replaces Craig Gardner. Both teams now have two strikers up front as they search for a late winning goal.
CHANCE! Huddlestone finds himself in space around 25 yards out, and he opts to take a chance. The connection isn't the best, however, and his drive ends up floating just a few yards wide of the far post.
CHANCES! It's all Hull at the minute. Hernandez tries a through-ball to Brady but Wisdom is there to thwart the move. Then Jelavic heads just wide, and just a few minutes later, Huddlestone lashes a ball over the top of the West Brom defence, but McAuley gets in the way to stop Brady from connecting.
The Baggies are holding on for dear life here. Hull have really stepped it up several gears and, following their tentative probings at the start of the second half, are now firmly in control.
Now West Brom are having sniffs of goal, with Wisdom pushing forward down the right wing before sending a cross towards the edge of the six-yard box, but it's dealt with by Dawson.
The fourth official indicates that there will be three minutes of added time.
BOOKING: Mulumbu is booked for a tackle on Meyler. Desperate measures from the visitors trying to see out time.
CHANCE! Varela in plenty of space just outside of the Hull penalty area and decides to attempt a curling shot from 20 yards out. McGregor once again does amazingly well to keep this goalbound effort out with a diving save.
FULL TIME: HULL CITY 0-0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION
And that's pretty much the last action of this game as the referee blows the whistle! Honours even at the KC Stadium as Hull and West Brom play out a goalless draw. Neither side came out of the starting blocks for the first 45 minutes, but the second half was a lot more exciting, with Steve Bruce's charges arguably on top. That said, the Baggies came close to opening the scoring on several occasions, but Allan McGregor was impervious in between the sticks for Hull.
Neither side will be truly happy with a point apiece, though. Hull slip into the bottom three of the Premier League, with Albion just above them in 16th.
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Well, that's all we have time for, but don't go anywhere! Sports Mole will be providing analysis and player ratings from this game, not to mention news, match reports, transfer speculation, and so much more from all of Saturday's football programme! Thanks for following and enjoy the rest of your day!
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte
