Brad Rial picks out the key talking points from Hull City and Stoke City's Premier League match at the KC Stadium on Saturday night. Read a match report here.
Hardly a classic, was it? It came as no surprise to see that Hull City's game against Stoke was last in the Match of the Day running order. They'd have been forgiven for not showing it at all!
Okay, so maybe it wasn't that bad, but it's not going to be a game that will live long in the memory. Still, there's plenty to talk about: the superb performance of Allan McGregor between the sticks; the disallowed Stephen Ireland goal, and why City faded in the second half ... not to mention the news that our next opponents, West Bromwich Albion, are now managerless following Steve Clarke's dismissal.Two keepers the best players on the pitch
That the two goalkeepers were the two best players on the pitch probably tells you all you need to know. Asmir Begovic and, in particular, Allan McGregor were superb when called upon and ensured that their respective teams claimed a share of the spoils.
In McGregor, City have a keeper who fans needn't worry about. He goes about his business in a calm and unassuming manner, without eccentricities.
His shot stopping really is top drawer. In the second half, he twice kept out Peter Crouch with spectacular saves. The first required him to stretch low to his left to tip the ball around the post. The second, in the lead up to the disallowed goal by Stephen Ireland, saw him spread himself to somehow keep out Crouch's goal-bound header.
Since he gave away a penalty on his debut at Chelsea, has McGregor put a foot wrong? I don't think he has.Well done to the linesman
When Stephen Ireland tapped in from close range following McGregor's fingertip save, it felt like the Crystal Palace home game all over again. Although Stoke grew in confidence as the game went on, City had bossed it up to the hour mark and going behind would have been a bitter pill for fans to swallow. Thankfully, the linesman had his flag up and it was a very good decision.
Referees and their assistants face constant criticism over their much-publicised errors, but you have to say they get about 95 per cent of the so-called "big" calls absolutely right. If a midfielder completed 95 per cent of his passes during a game, it would be viewed as an excellent performance. Officials are slated when they get decisions wrong, yet hardly receive any praise when they get them right.Huddlestone let the game pass him by
The game was crying out for someone to grab it by the scruff of the neck yesterday, and if there were one City man you'd expect to just that, it would be Tom Huddlestone. But the game seemed to pass him by.
Whether the windy conditions played a part or not, I don't know, but City could barely string more than five passes together. We all know what a wonderful passer of the ball Huddlestone is, but his radar could've done with a bit of a retune yesterday.
Perhaps I'm being harsh. It was, after all, an off-day for quite a few City players and the team tired noticeably in the second half. I'm sure Tom will be back to his best before long.Best home record in the Premier League
Yesterday's clean sheet means City have conceded just three goals at home – the fewest in the Premier League. That really is quite remarkable for a newly promoted side.
Granted, the fixtures have been relatively kind (Liverpool aside), but it is an achievement that shouldn't be sniffed at. While City fans may not be getting the free-flowing football they'd love to see at the KC right now (the ten goals in total at the KC is also the fewest at any Premier League ground), there is no denying the Tigers are hard to beat.
If City can start to earn a few more points on the road - and the Swansea performance suggests they can - it would really put less pressure on their home form. Where better to start than at a now managerless West Brom next week? Albion finished eighth last season and Steve Clarke's dismissal last night demonstrates the harsh reality of life in the Premier League. Whether it will mean Shane Long is more likely to become available for a January swap to the KC, time will tell.• Brad Rial is a lifelong Hull City fan and journalism student who blogs every week for the Mail. Follow him on Twitter @BradRial.
