Match Report | Cardiff City 2-3 Hull City
Cardiff City fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat against Hull City at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Despite the Tigers taking the lead through Dimitrios Pelkas early in the first half, the Bluebirds responded well from the start of the second half, with goals from Callum Robinson and Gavin Whyte. However, two late strikes from Regan Slater saw the visitors claim all three points in South Wales.
Interim boss Mark Hudson made four changes to the side that defeated Sunderland last time out, with Robinson, Romaine Sawyers, Andy Rinomhota and Curtis Nelson all returning to the starting XI. Rubin Colwill returned from injury to feature on the bench.
It was the visitors who made an assertive start in the Welsh capital, netting the opening goal after just four minutes. A cross from Jacob Greaves found the on-running Pelkas at the back post, who composedly finished past the advancing Ryan Allsop.
As City searched for a way back into the game, Joe Ralls went close with an effort from range just minutes later. The midfielder stole possession from Ryan Woods deep in Tiger's territory before producing a great strike that fired just wide of Nathan Baxter’s net.
Immediately at the other end, Sawyers was dispossessed just inside City’s half, which saw Pelkas subsequently tee up Greg Docherty from close range. However, his deflected effort was brilliantly kept out by Allsop. That was before, Ryan Longman found space to head just wide following another dangerous Hull attack.
Midway through the first half, a precise attempt from Robinson was stopped by Baxter as the Bluebirds showed signs of a response, but the forward’s effort was well blocked by a stubborn Tigers backline. From the resultant clearance, Niels Nkounkou dragged an effort across the face of goal, as Hull City took a narrow lead going into the break.
City began the second half on the front foot and took the lead just a minute after the restart. Jean Michaël Seri’s poor back pass allowed Robinson to capitalise, with the Republic of Ireland international clinically finishing past Baxter to draw Hudson’s side level.
With Liam Rosenior's men sitting slightly deeper following the goal, Robinson tried an audacious effort to beat Baxtor from just inside the visitors' half after more City pressure saw the away side give up possession which allowed the home side to commit bodies in attack.
As City pushed to take the lead in the contest, Hudson deployed a double change midway through the second period, as Mark Harris and Gavin Whyte entered the fray.
Within minutes of the change, Whyte made an impact handing City the lead. Robinson found the winger arriving late at the far post, with his powerful downward header firing into the back of the net.
However, despite City’s dominance, the Tigers equalised against the run of play on 75 minutes, as Slater finished past Allsop at the near post. One minute later, the forward secured his brace after his quick-one-two with Longman rounded off the attack.
Despite Hudson’s men applying late pressure, City were unable to find a way past the Hull defence in the final stages, and were defeated at home.
The Bluebirds return to league action for the final match before the World Cup break on Saturday afternoon as Sheffield United visit Cardiff City Stadium, 3pm KO.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 2 –3 HULL CITY
Cardiff City: Allsop; Romeo, Ng, Nelson, Nkounkou (Whyte 58'); Rinomhota, Ralls; Ojo (Colwill 76'), Sawyers (Harris 58'), O'Dowda; Robinson. Subs not used: Alnwick, Bagan, Etete, Sang.
Hull City: Baxter; Christie, Figueiredo, Jones, Greaves; Seri, Woods (Tufan 62'); Docherty, Pelkas (Sinik 73'), Slater; Longman (Coyle 84'). Subs not used: Ingram, McLoughlin, Fleming, T. Smith.
