Hull City break their fall with a draw away to Everton

Hull City ended their recent run of four straight defeats with a 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park.

Yet the visitors could well have gone into the half-time break all but dead and buried. Everton looked to be in the ascendancy after Romelu Lukaku’s opener with the final moments of the first half producing a number of shots for the hosts that were saved, blocked or missed rather than converted.

That spell of dominance never really returned for Everton who started both halves slowly, and while Hull always looked a bit too scrappy to fully take advantage, Steve Bruce’s side did find an equaliser.

Just before the hour mark, substitute Sone Aluko found a way to beat Tim Howard at the near post to put the Tigers on the front foot. Though they never managed to take control as Everton had at the end of the first 45 minutes, the growing chorus of boos that had begun at half-time summed up the mood of the home crowd as Hull grew into the game.

A bitty end to the game saw plenty of running but few real chances for either side as the points were shared. Hull remain in a precarious position, level on points with Burnley and just one place above the relegation zone, but they have at least now slowed their descent. Everton meanwhile slip into the bottom half of the table as discontent builds on the home front.

20' – CHANCE: Everton work the ball into the box and a wonderful little pass sends Lukaku in on goal. He doesn't quite get the touch he wants on it though, and rather than smashing it at the goal he appears to fluff his shot off target. The Belgian claims hand ball though the referee isn't convinced.

29' – CHANCE:  Romelu Lukaku receives the ball with his back to goal and does really well to hold it up and pop a ball in front of the on-running Ross Barkley. The midfielder's touch is heavy though and he ultimately toe pokes it out for a Hull throw-in.

34' – GOAL: Lukaku initially wins the ball in the air and bring it down, laying it off for his team mates. Kevin Mirallas takes control, dribbling to the right and to the by-line. He shrugs off a marker and does very well to pick out the on-running Lukaku who drifts between two defenders to strike the ball home past a third and McGregor.

40' – CHANCE: Lukaku almost makes it 2-0 with Everton now finding their flow. The Belgian perhaps takes one touch too many however and isn't able to get a proper shot on target. Moments later he is again involved in Hull's box with a header but he remains unable to alter the score any further.

47' – CHANCE: Mohamed Diame looks to hit a drive at Howard's goal, yet it's deflected out and just behind Jelavic who would have been perfectly placed for a tap in otherwise: a close shave for Everton who are again starting slowly.

52' – SUBSTITUTION: Mohamed Diame hobbles off to be replaced by Sone Aluko, who also replaced the work-shy Hatem Ben Arfa at Old Trafford. The Nigerian was a bright spark against United and could yet dig out some chances or even a goal in this game for Hull.

59' – GOAL: Aluko grabs the equaliser. He receives the ball near to the box on the right-side of the field and surges forward as if going for the by-line. Distin gives chase but the Frenchman is wrong-footed and crashes to the floor. Aluko still has plenty to do however with an increasingly tight shooting angle narrowing with every step, and Tim Howard on the post. Yet he fires the ball through regardless and wheels away delighted.

Hull City had just one shot on goal all game, with Sone Aluoko’s effort finding its way through on target on the 59th minute mark to level the scores.

Are Hull City in total meltdown? If they continue to respond to poor results and performances with effort and courage as they did against Everton against being beaten by Manchester United, then perhaps not. Yet the Tigers did have chances to win the game at Goodison Park and they have to start snatching points whenever they’re made available if they are to make amends for their poorer, general form. After all, they may not be able to keep up the comebacks if the disappointments continue to come this season. Even if they can respond to the odd disaster, decline might be enough to see them off come May.

Romelu Lukaku (Everton): Everton’s record signing was the platform upon which his team built the majority of their best moments. The Belgian was able to bring down and play on almost every ball thrown at him as he showcased his ability in the air and his quality as a hold-up player. He also scored the opener for Everton after having started the move with another knock down before running between two defenders to send the ball home past Alan McGregor.

Everton: Howard 6; Coleman 7, Jagielka 6, Distin 6, Baines 6; Besic 7, Barry 6; Mirallas 8, Barkley 6, Osman 7; Lukaku 8. Subs: Pienaar 6, McGeady 6.

Hull City: McGregor 7; Rosenior 6, Chester 7, Dawson 6, Elmohamady 7; Huddlestone 6, Livermore 7, Meyler 6, Diame 7, Quinn 6; Jelavic 6. Subs: Aluko 7, Brady 6, Robertson 6.