Hull 2-1 Manchester City
Troubled Wayne Bridge returned to first-team action
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Saturday, 06, Feb 2010 05:13
By James Christie.
Troubled Wayne Bridge returned to first-team action after a two-month absence as Manchester City side lost 2-1 to Hull at the KC Stadium.
Hull deservedly took the lead on the half-hour mark when Jozy Altidore brilliantly curled a shot past Shay Given, a fantastic way for the American to score his first goal in the Premier League.
Roberto Mancini's men only came to life just before half-time, a rampaging Bridge exchanging passes with Stephen Ireland before hitting a venomous shot which brought a reflex save from Boaz Myhill.
It was a welcome reminder that Bridge's manager's claim that he is "the best left-back in the country" isn't so ridiculous after all.
But Bridge was just a spectator as George Boateng increased Hull's lead in the second half, smashing a shot with a confidence that makes it a mystery why he hasn't scored for two years.
Emmanuel Adebayor pulled one back for Man City after a corner and Patrick Viera was brought on to chase an equaliser. The ex-Arsenal man was soon booked for an over-zealous tackle, an incident typical of City's luck as they slumped to their fourth league defeat of the season.
At Turf Moor a fantastic Danny Fox strike was the pick of the goals as Burnley moved out of the relegation zone by beating West Ham 2-1, handing new manager Brian Laws his first Premier League win after four successive defeats.
Burnley drew first blood in the 14th minute after a move which involved three England players past and present; England's forgotten striker David Nugent getting the better of Matthew Upson before stylishly lobbing Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green.
West Ham responded by bringing on new signing Mido at half-time, the Egyptian immediately showing some nice touches before firing across the face of goal.
But it was another debutant, Burnley left-back Danny Fox, who scored next - curling the ball into the corner of the net with an aplomb that a fox-in-the-box striker would have been proud of.
West Ham had a goal disallowed for being offside and hit the bar through a Junior Stanislas free-kick before their Brazilian striker Ilan (another debut star) gave his colleagues a lesson in cool finishing in the 81st minute.
Mido couldn't quite emulate the South American's accuracy in stoppage time, volleying against the post as Burnley held on for the three points.
At the Reebok Stadium, Bolton and Fulham played out a dull 0-0 draw, a result which means only goal difference separates the northern side from the relegation zone.
The home side nearly snatched the lead just before half-time when Mark Davies 12-yard effort was touched on to the crossbar by Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer.
Another fingertip Schwarzer save denied Fulham again in the second half but it wasn't all one-way traffic - Nicky Shorey would have hit the target had his free-kick not been deflected over the bar by Kevin Davies.
Bolton's Johan Ilmander only had himself to blame when he rounded Schwarzer before shying a shot wide of the post but Davies was unlucky to have what seemed like a good goal ruled out for a push in the final minute of normal time.