Super City see off Saints with clinical display

SECOND HOME WIN OF THE SEASON FOR THE TIGERS AGAINST MUCH-FANCIED SOUTHAMPTON

- By BARRY COOPER

A clinical display from Hull City saw them claim a second home win of the season by beating Southampton 3-1 at a rain-soaked MKM Stadium. City hit the front after 23 minutes when Joe Gelhardt’s header from a Lewie Coyle cross was parried by Gavin Bazunu, and there lurking was Kyle Joseph to turn in his first MKM Stadium goal.

For all their dominance at the start of the second half, the visitors rarely threatened and were stung on the counter when Coyle's cross was brilliantly nodded into the path of John Lundstram to volley in to make it 2-0.

Two quickly became three when Ryan Giles’ free-kick was headed into the bottom corner by Oli McBurnie to lift the roof off the MKM.

In truth, the Tigers could have added to their tally against a woeful Saints outfit who dominated the ball, without carrying much of a threat until Adam Armstrong crashed in a consolation in the last minute of added time.

The big news surrounded the return of Mohamed Belloumi. After nearly 11 months out with an ACL injury picked up in the closing stages of the defeat at Oxford United on Bonfire Night 319 days ago, the Algerian was back in from the start at the expense of David Akintola.