Hull City 3 Middlesbrough 0

PROMOTION hopefuls Middlesbrough slumped to a deserved 3-0 defeat at table-topping Hull City.

Aside from a bright spell early on, Aitor Karanka’s side were second best for the vast majority of the contest and could have few complaints about the scoreline.

The goals were scored by Mo Diame, Sam Clucas and substitute Tom Huddlestone, who finished things off with a fine strike late on to ensure Hull stay top with Middlesbrough fourth.

Hull, relegated last season, have kept together the core of the side which played in the Premier League last season and on this evidence will be making a swift return to the top-flight.

Steve Bruce’s men were 1-0 up at the break after a 45 minutes in which Boro had tried to keep it tight. Midfielder Adam Clayton was perhaps fortunate not to be booked for going in hard on Mo Diame, using a high foot to do so, and Hull’s fans were not best pleased when referee Jeremy Simpson did not caution him.

Diame was soon back on the pitch after treatment, however, in time to see team-mate Moses Odubajo let fly optimistically from 20 yards with a volley and within seconds Boro had their first scoring chance and David Nugent should’ve done better.

He was inches wide when shooting across the goalmouth, the ball rolling just the wrong side of the far post after a through-ball by Diego Fabbrini, but he should’ve tested goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Fabbrini and Nugent soon combined again, this time the striker flagged offside after another lovely pass by the play-maker, who was finding pockets of space by the front-line.

However, Boro were soon on the back-foot and would be for the remainder of the game.

Dimi Konstantopoulos made his first save when tipping over a Sam Clucas floated free-kick after David Meyler had been tripped, and the Greek keeper was soon called on again, this time saving low to his right after Ahmed Elmohamady burst through unmarked onto a Clucas through-ball.

Hull were doing most of the pressing, Boro making only a limited impact in the opponent’s half. Diame twisted and turned in the box to earn Hull one of seven first half corners in comparison to Boro’s two.

From one Hull corner, Clucas' delivery was flicked on by Elmohamady but his header was narrowly wide of Konstantopoulos' goal, but just as it looked like Boro had made it to the break at 0-0 Diame scored.

He converted at close-range, arriving at the far post to connect with Elmohamady’s cross from the right, a move which began when Fabbrini lost the ball when knocked to the floor.

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Middlesbrough did not respond to the goal, however, and were flat after the restart, the hosts more dangerous in attack.

Hull’s first shot of the second half saw key player Diame blast over the bar from 20 yards, and the same player should then have made it 2-0. He took a touch 12 yards out and volleyed at goal, but was narrowly over the bar.

George Friend was unlucky not to score with a close-range volley at the far post after meeting a right-wing cross, saved by McGregor though the keeper probably knew little about it.

An equaliser would’ve changed the whole complexion of the game, but midway through the half it became 2-0.

Clucas was credited with the goal. A low long-range shot by Diame was turned into the net from around ten yards and it meant, despite the fortuitous nature of the goal, Boro were really up against it.

There was no response from Middlesbrough. Grant Leadbitter, who had been overlooked in favour of Bruno Zuculini, had replaced Adam Clayton just before Clucas’ goal, but the Teessiders were unable to mount a comeback.

Hull were too strong, their defence led by captain Michael Dawson was rarely penetrated.

Boro’s midfield and attack contributed little, and while play-maker Fabbrini looked lively he was too easily muscled off the ball.

In the closing stages Hull sent on midfielder Huddlestone for Diame and he completed the scoring, though only after a rare error by Friend.

His pass was intercepted by Huddleston and he thundered the ball home from corner of penalty area to seal victory.