Premier League - Hull move out of drop zone

Eurosport - Sat, 16 May 18:38:00 2009

Hull City moved out of the Premier League relegation zone after picking up a valuable 1-1 draw with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

FOOTBALL Hull City's Craig Fagan (left) celebrates after he scores his sides equalsing goal against Bolton Premier League 2009 - 0

However, they were denied all three points by Jussi Jaaskelainen as the Bolton keeper made two class saves in the final ten minutes.

Gretar Steinsson gave Bolton the lead midway through the first half but Craig Fagan (pictured) levelled matters just after the break.

The visitors then had their chances to pick up only their second win in 21 games but they could not find a way past Jaaskelainen.

Nevertheless with Newcastle losing at home to Fulham, the point was enough to see Phil Brown's side climb out of the bottom three with just one match remaining - a home fixture against already crowned champions Manchester United.

Hull were lively in the opening stages but while they were getting plenty of good crosses into the box they were not able to force Jaaskelainen into a significant early save.

It was from one of their own attacks that they went behind in the 26th minute as they were hit by a quick Bolton counter-attack.

Fabrice Muamba was eventually found in the box - he checked the ball back to Matthew Taylor whose poor effort was blocked; however, it then fell to Steinsson on the right edge of the area and he drilled a low effort into the opposite corner of the net.

Boaz Myhill got a hand onto that shot, and while it was far from an easy save, he will be disappointed he couldn't push it wide.

Hull had a great chance to level just seconds after that goal but Manucho blazed over the bar from close range after a Sam Ricketts cut back. Nick Barmby then headed wide as a cross came to him quickly at the back post.

However, it was Bolton who came closest to scoring before the end of the half with Gary Cahill's header cleared off the line by Fagan in stoppage time.

After the break Bolton had an immediate chance to double their lead but Muamba made a mess of a low cross from Kevin Davies and they were immediately punished at the other end.

Danny Shittu has to take a large chunk of blame for the equaliser, he could not get the ball under control while facing goal which allowed Fagan to muscle past him and fire past Jaaskelainen.

In the 68th minutes Fagan needed to clear off the line once again after Manucho mistakenly put a Bolton corner towards his own goal, while just two minutes later Barmby's half-volley hit the post as the match developed into an end-to-end contest.

However, in the final 10 minutes it was Hull who looked most likely to secure a winner - Manucho's header in the 81st minute looked destined for the net but Jaaskelainen somehow managed to push it up onto the crossbar.

Just two minutes later the Finn made another superb contribution to deny Fagan with a header.

Still a draw was perhaps a fair result given the overall balance of the play and that point could prove enough for Hull to secure their Premier League future.

Seán Fay / Eurosport

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  1. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    hgfghgfyggfhgfhgfhgfh

    From karla.colkar, on Sat 16 May 2:56PM
  2. Would like to see Phil Brown do well, as he did us­ proud at Bolton and was the secret to Big Sam's­ success.

    However Bolton need to put in a good shift­ today and I just hope for a good game.

    Come on you­ Super White Men!!!

    From Colly, on Sat 16 May 11:57AM
  3. Still can't believe the criticism aimed at your­­ owner or Phil Brown. Without both, you'd be where­­ you've always been. Outside the top division. They­­ took you away from what you've been, always a­­ mediocre team / club. Have a little realism!!!

    From james.duckworth, on Fri 15 May 3:50PM
  4. i will be cheering the tigers on in miri malaysia
    aln m

    From Alan, on Fri 15 May 1:02AM
  5. Rather see the geordies go down than hull.
    Mind you­ I'd rather see a different top four- this league is­ getting
    so predictable.Once wenger goes to real madrid­ then perhaps
    we'll see arsenal where newcastle are­ and then things would
    be better for the majority of­ football fans.

    From RICHARD W, on Thu 14 May 8:32PM
  6. .....the whites generosity may well stretch to a point­ (we're goal shy @ the mo) but it's far too­ little, far too late for Hull City & Phil Brown. Up­ the Trotters!

    From bluecow60, on Thu 14 May 4:11PM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    good-bye good-bye hull city good-bye good-bye hull city­ from a ARSENAL FAN .

    From s.coleman972, on Thu 14 May 4:01PM
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