Hull City 0 Leeds United 0 – Lucky point. This match had that bit of a wet Tuesday night in Grimsby about it except that it is Wednesday in Hull. It became a game of two halves as Leeds United dominated until 50 minutes when, Rodon having been sent off, Hull City sought to score the winner, and should have. One can only speculate had Rodon not been sent off Leeds would have found that winner.
Hull started the day in top six of the division, an in-form team. Leeds United made two changes from the Millwall match with Dan James and Jamie Shackleton in the side as Crysencio Summerville and Sam Byram dropped to the bench.
Rodon was a rock, bossing defence. His work closing down any sniff of a Hull counter attack earned him a yellow card before half time. But a late tackle early in the second half earned him a second yellow card, with his sending off changing the game.
Until the sending off Leeds had grown in the match. Summerville, subbed on for Gnonto who picked up an injury, used his pace to force a superb save on 25 minutes. Just before half time he, again could have scored but for the keeper. Georgino also had a winnable opportunity one on one with the keeper early in the second half but scuffed his shot as he fell over. Even Gray had a go on goal.
It was the Hull keeper and some Hull stout defending that kept the score 0-0 at half time.
Leeds started the second half strongly with Summerville and Gray forcing a double save in the first minute after some good one touch football. But Leeds failed to find that edge, and frustration showed when Ampadu picked up a pointless yellow card for kicking the ball away on a Hull free kick.
Once Rodon had been sent Farke made changes to shore up defence with Cooper brought on to keep the defence in tact but had a dreadful first ten minutes.
Piroe and James are off as they were unable to make impact. Leeds had dominated the game to this point with four shots on target to Hull’s none. But Hull now begin to take more possession with fresh subs on sensing they can snatch a goal with the extra man. Maybe the vitriole from Hull City fans (he came from Hull) got to him.
Hull split Leeds apart in the dying minutes as Traore missed an open goal hitting the bar. Leeds should have been a goal down. It was backs to the wall in extra time as Hull tried and tried to break down the Leeds defence. But they were just not that capable.
The referee could not keep the yellow card in his pocket in the second half even giving one to Ayling as he walked around the pitch having been subbed off late.
Farke left the pitch tonight looking like a lucky man – he had escaped an embarrassing defeat.
Man of the match: Summerville – lost possession a few times but had the pace and looked most likely to score.
