Read Philip Buckingham's match report of the Premier League game between Newcastle United and Hull City at St James's Park on Saturday, September 21, 2013. Goals from Robbie Brady, Ahmed Elmohamady and Sone Aluko secured a 3-2 victory for the Tigers.
A MOMENT of pure magic from Sone Aluko earned Hull City their first away win in the Premier League since March 2009 as they twice came from behind to beat Newcastle United 3-2 at St James' Park.
Despite conceding two first-half goals from the clinical Loic Remy, the Tigers refused to surrender in a fantastic show of character. Robbie Brady's sweet low strike was sandwiched between Remy's brace before Ahmed Elmohamady's glancing header made it 2-2 early in the second half. The stage was then set for Aluko, who duly stole the show with a left-foot volley high into the top corner, to snatch a dramatic win 13 minutes from time.
Not since beating Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage on March 4, 2009 had City won away in the top-flight – a run of 26 games – and the 3,000 travelling fans were able to salute the end of a long and painful wait in style.
Against a revived Newcastle side chasing its third consecutive win, the incline of City's mission was quick to steepen from the outset of an end-to-end game. Reshuffled by the absence of Robert Koren and Maynor Figueroa, the pair replaced by Stephen Quinn and Liam Rosenior, the Tigers were behind after just 11 minutes. A deep cross from the right evaded the questionable defending of Elmohamady and allowed Papiss Cisse to shoot. The ball bounced down into the ground and perfectly up for Remy to finish ahead of James Chester.
The early blow threatened a long afternoon but City were gradually able to find their feet. Jake Livermore twice had shots blocked inside the penalty area before the visitors silenced St James' Park midway through the half. Newcastle initially felt they had escaped when Graham's header was kept out by the acrobatics of Tim Krul. As well as keeping out the initially effort from point blank range, he scrambled the loose ball clear. Within a mad minute, though, City were on level terms. Sone Aluko's vision spotted Brady in space to his left and the Irishman drilled a low drive through Krul.
It was Newcastle's turn to wobble as City noticeably grew in confidence. Tom Huddlestone's excellent ball over the top carved open a shabby defence and a better first touch from Graham could have teed up an excellent opening. The twin threat of Brady and Aluko was another thorn the Magpies' side.
Just when they appeared to be cantering to the break, though, City were behind for a second time. Yohan Cabaye's shot from the edge of the box was deflected by the outstretched leg of Chester but straight into the path of Remy. Before City could react, the Frenchman had dispatched a cool finish across Allan McGregor and into the bottom corner.
If that represented the proverbial sucker punch, City barely flinched. Within three minutes of the break Brady's free-kick was attacked by Elmohamady in space and his downward header beat Krul off the post.
An absorbing game was there for both sides to win. The Tigers, unwilling to settle for a point, sensed a first away victory since their top-flight return, while Newcastle were implored to find the game's decisive fifth goal by an increasingly anxious crowd.
It came for City, with 13 minutes remaining, from a moment of sheer brilliance. George Boyd, on as a second-half substitute, picked out Aluko on the edge of the box and he fired a picture-book volley into the top corner. The goal of the game, Aluko's first since last November, took the breath away.
Remy had a chance for his hat-trick in stoppage time but his shot wide was the last notable act of an epic contest. Newcastle: Tim Krul, Mathieu Bebuchy (Cheik Tiote 86), Fabricio Coloccini, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Davide Santon, Vurnon Anita, Moussa Sissoko, Yohan Cabaye (Yoan Gouffran 62), Papiss Cisse (Sylvain Marveaux 73), Hatem Ben Arfa, Loic Remy. Subs: Rob Elliot, Mike Williamson, Sammy Ameobi, Paul DummettHull City: Allan McGregor, Ahmed Elmohamady, James Chester, Curtis Davies, Liam Rosenior, Stephen Quinn (George Boyd 64), Tom Huddlestone, Jake Livermore, Robbie Brady (David Meyler 74), Sone Aluko, Danny Graham (for Yannick Sagbo 84). Subs: Steve Harper, Alex Bruce, Abdoulaye Faye, Nick ProschwitzAttendance: 51,523 (3,000 away).
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• Hull City's James Chester facing up to six weeks out with hamstring injury
