City given reality check by Ipswich

KEY PLAYERS' ABSENCE HAVING IMPACT

- By BARRY COOPER

Hull City's resistance was eventually broken by Ipswich Town when two goals in the second half condemned the Tigers to a second consecutive Championship defeat.

Despite delivering a plucky performance for nearly 70 minutes, the Tractor Boys' extensive options proved decisive with Jaden Philogene and Chuba Akpom both stepping off the bench to deliver fatal blows.

For City, who had first-half chances through Joel Ndala, Joe Gelhardt and Kyle Joseph, it was just the third game of the season where they've failed to find the net.

City have done so well to get so many good results in recent weeks, given they've been missing Oli McBurnie, John Lundstram and Liam Millar, while Mo Belloumi hasn't been fit.

Throw into the mix Matt Crooks was suspended, and that's half their outfield team unavailable, and was a deciding factor.

These are not just fringe players; they're influential performers who can win games on their own. It's not a case of making excuses, it's a real factor.

We've said it all season that if they're capable of challenging, they need their big players fit and available, and against a team of that quality, they really needed them, and their respective absences were apparent.

This was always going to be their toughest test of the season, against a side in good form and with the quality they have.