Hull City earn 1-1 draw at Wolves

Aug 29, 2009 - 6:02 PM By MARK HENDRY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Wolverhampton defender Richard Stearman showed his strikers the route to goal by equalising Geovanni's opener to earn his side a 1-1 draw against Hull City.

Stearman's volley in the opening minute of the second half cancelled out the Brazilian's header but Wolves boss Mick McCarthy then witnessed attackers Andy Keogh, Kevin Doyle and Matt Jarvis spurn fine opportunities to secure the three points.

McCarthy said: "The first half was a little disappointing as we let one of the smallest men on the pitch score a goal.

"At home, our supporters deserve better than that so I am delighted they sorted it out and the second half was a massive turnaround.

"On another day we could have won that game but we did not have our shooting boots on. I can't knock the players' efforts after the break though.

"The continuing thing for me is that we are competing with teams in the Premier League, which a few people outside of the club were doubting before a ball had been kicked."

McCarthy was finally able to hand a debut to Doyle following his 6.5 million pounds summer switch from Reading after the Irishman has battled a persistent ankle problem.

Doyle provided a welcome outlet for the Wolves midfield but every time he found space the support was not forthcoming and Hull were able to defend easily.

Matters failed to improve for the hosts when Hull took the lead with Doyle's former Reading team-mate Stephen Hunt picking out Geovanni and the forward prodded a header past Wayne Hennessey.

The shock of going a goal behind though did not stir Wolves who looked cumbersome in the final third, unable to find space in behind the imperious Michael Turner.

Whether it be McCarthy's words or a slight change of system the home team emerged in the second half with a renewed vigour and were back in the contest within 45 seconds.

Michael Mancienne's free-kick was helped on by Jody Craddock for Stearman to direct a volley past Boaz Myhill.

Stearman returned the compliment to Craddock moments later but the defender shot wide and it was now Wolves who were creating all the menace where it mattered.

Full-back George Elokobi set Keogh free but the Irishman could not shoot beyond Myhill, Jarvis wasted a fine chance and in the dying moments Doyle was denied by the lunge of Turner as Hull clung on.

Hull boss Phil Brown said: "It was disappointing to lose a goal so early in the second half, especially from a set piece as we were too deep and allowed too many players into our penalty area.

"It was a basic error and the sort of error that should not happen in the Premier League.

"Considering the positive of going in at half time a goal up, away from home it was even more a blow.

"The goal probably knocked the stuffing out of us a bit and we were under pressure for the rest of the game and had to dig in a bit.

"There was some heroic defending on show in the end and all these points will be crucial."