Double trouble for the Tigers

Last updated : 29 September 2010 By Chris Tierney
Chris Eagles
Chris Eagles - created havoc
Hull arrived on the back of excellent away win at Norwich, with the Clarets coming of the back of a frustrating afternoon against Bristol City. Yet we are undefeated at home and no goals conceded in the last three games. Admittedly the home performances have not all been vintage, but this one was up there. Dominant from the start, the ball was moved around with confidence, there was good movement, interchanging of positions across the midfield and Jack Cork strolling around the middle of the park, always in space and making the game look so easy.

Chris Eagles with direct running and Tyrone Mears and Wade Elliott overlapping on the right created numerous crossing opportunities. It was inevitable that the first goal would come down the right, simple in its construction, great ball from Elliott to Mears, crossed over and finished in typical style by Chris Iwelumo. Six yards out, 'on me head son.' One- nil.

The tempo of the game had been good from the start and the goal lifted it further. Fox getting forward and fizzing a shot over the bar. The only real threat from Hull came in a little spell before the second goal, where they played a lot of neat, crisp passing in the Burnley half . One very good save from 'Beast' and a couple of decent runs from Koren and Crainey caused concern in the crowd, but once the second goal had gone in the only danger came from Burnley's own casualness.

The second goal started out on the right again, came inside to Eagles and with everyone shouting shoot, the ball came back, went across to the right and was worked across the field to Fox who played in a beautiful ball for Eagles to run on to and slot left footed into the bottom corner.

Two-nil and effectively game over, and whilst we had the dress rehearsal on Saturday , where, we created far more chances, tonight was the real performance,. The energy and closing down from the midfield in particular Dean Marney, gave the platform for Eagles and Cork to run the game. Whilst Jay Rodriguez's natural game is as a striker he did an excellent job in midfield. There was energy and a commitment to go forward, particularly with the ball on the ground , coupled with the chasing down and closing off of passing opportunities, meant that Burnley were in the ascendancy for long periods of the game and ensured the result matched the performance.

The first half played out and Hull had a couple of moments either side of half time, but overall their performance was like the man in the white top who made a half time appearance in the pie and chips event.

The second half continued with Burnley pressure, the ball was chipped in and Ayala who managed to have his hands above or on Iwelumo's head the whole game, got his hand to the ball right in front of the referee. Easy decision for an excellent referee, penalty. The penalty taking machine that is Graham Alexander was not on the pitch, it looked for a moment that it would be Andre Bikey, by the way he went menacingly to collect the ball. It was, however Chris Eagles who coolly stepped up and took the kick, no need to worry about a successor to 'Grezza,' but the celebration definitely needs to be worked on.

It was all Burnley from then on in, Eagles marauding down the right, cutting in and blazing over in an attempt to complete a glorious hat trick, followed by an even more audacious 40 yard lob that the keeper managed to get the slightest of touches on. The next goal was inevitable and probably more would have followed if we had not been in sequence of 6 games in 16 days. It came after Jay Rodriguez had turned and shot, the keeper spilled the ball and in the mix-up that followed Chris Iwelumo slotted in for his seventh goal in nine league games. Substitute appearances for Martin Paterson, Ross Wallace and Steven Thompson saw a change to four -four- two, a goal for 'Pato' would probably have been the boost in confidence he needed and whilst it did not happen, the chances still kept coming.

So nine games in, an excellent home record, goals in abundance from the main striker, supported now with contributions from the midfield, Eagles creating havoc, Mears revitalised, set pieces threatening, a pressing high tempo game, a new system bedding in, young players getting an opportunity and thriving on the responsibility. A goalkeeper commanding his box, (just ask Clark Carlisle) and a defence that has kept four successive clean sheets and fifth in the table. Not bad, to say it is still only September.