Hull hold on for shock 2-1 win over Man City

Feb 6, 2010 - 6:20 PM By CHRIS TUPLING STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini blasted his side's lacklustre first-half display after the Premier League's richest club were beaten 2-1 at relegation-haunted Hull on Saturday.

City's Champions League hopes suffered a major setback as Jozy Altidore's strike and a rare George Boateng goal moved Hull three points clear of the drop zone.

Emmanuel Adebayor's ninth goal of the campaign could not save Mancini from his second loss as City boss.

The Italian predecessor Mark Hughes was sacked after the same number of defeats in December.

Mancini said: "I think in the first half we played not good, we played badly. We moved the ball very slowly and Hull played well. We did not play at 100 per cent.

"I am happy about the second half because we played more aggressive and had three of four chances to draw and possibly even to win.

"But we must play like that for the whole game.

"I know Hull at home is a different team. They play very aggressive from the start of the game and we know this."

City named fit again England defender Wayne Bridge in their line-up for the first time since revelations about former England captain John Terry's affair with his ex-girlfriend.

Bridge had City's only chance of a sluggish first half for Mancini's men, shooting straight at hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill from long range.

It was little surprise when Hull took the lead just after the half hour through Altidore's first Premier League goal in 18 games.

The United States international combined neatly with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink before firing past City goalkeeper Shay Given.

Hull captain Boateng looked to have put the game out of City's reach nine minutes after half time when he rifled in his first goal in two years.

Kolo Toure's headed clearance from Stephen Hunt's corner was picked up by Boateng and the Dutchman planted an unstoppable 25-yard curler beyond the helpless Given.

Mancini's response was to bring on transfer deadline day signing Adam Johnson for his City debut.

Johnson made an immediate impact as his 59th minute corner was not properly cleared by the Hull defence, allowing Adebayor to slot home from close range.

Carlos Tevez could have snatched a dramatic late equaliser after racing onto Gareth Barry's cross but shot weakly into the arms of Myhill.

Hull have now taken four points from back-to-back home games against Chelsea and City.

Assistant manager Brian Horton afterwards hailed match winner Altidore.

Horton said: "It is a massive win. The performance from the Chelsea game carried over today and everyone, the players and the fans were up for it.

"To put two such impressive performances together against two big clubs is fantastic.

"The first goal was terrific and I am pleased for Jozy because things have not always gone his way.

"Football is about confidence and sometimes Jozy maybe tries too hard. You could see him grow with that goal and he gave their back four a torrid time. City could not cope with him."