Report: Hull City 2-1 Saints

Charlie Austin’s eighth goal of the season handed Saints an early advantage, as he netted from the penalty spot.

But, despite dominating proceedings, two goals in three minutes saw Hull take the lead, as substitute Robert Snodgrass and Michael Dawson netted just after the hour.

The visitors pressed for an equaliser late on, but they found no way through, as Hull ended their wait for a win in the Premier League.

Claude Puel made five changes from Thursday night’s win against Internazionale, as José Fonte, Ryan Bertrand, Steven Davis, Jordy Clasie and Austin all started.

The rotation meant Maya Yoshida lined up at right-back, and it was he who won the penalty for Saints to open the scoring inside the opening six minutes.

The Japanese international was brought down by Curtis Davies after collecting a pass from Dušan Tadić, and Austin stepped up to confidently convert from the penalty spot.

The hosts, on a run of six straight league losses, were then rocked by two injuries to their strikers, as both Will Keane and Abel Hernandez had to make way.

After a long period with very few chances, Saints went close on three occasions before half time, as Clasie, twice, and Austin had opportunities.

Hull stopper David Marshall was equal to the trio of efforts, as Hull survived to ensure they trailed by the solitary goal at the break.

Saints continued to dominate at the start of the second half, with Virgil van Dijk going close to a second in as many games. The defender met Davis’s corner ahead of Marshall, but headed narrowly over.

Despite their dominance, Saints were soon chasing the game, as Hull netted twice inside three minutes. The first arrived just after the hour, as Snodgrass fired in from Sam Clucas’s low ball into the box.

Moments later, Hull were ahead, as a Snodgrass delivery was flicked on by Dawson into the back of the net, with Forster unable to keep it out.

Saints could hardly believe it, but they almost levelled soon after, as Austin found space just outside the penalty area, but he was denied by a smart save from Marshall.

Austin and Yoshida both went close late on, but Saints were somehow left to wonder how they were leaving the game with nothing.

Head to Head Stats

• Possession (%)
  34

  66
• Shots
  6

  19
• Shots on target
  2

  7
• Corners
  1

  10
• Passes Complete
  228

  538