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City’s home difficulties in 2024 continued against the Black Cats

Hull City were beaten 1-0 by Sunderland at the MKM Stadium as Tim Walter’s men fell to a second successive Championship defeat.

The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock early in the second period when Chris Bedia crashed an effort off the Black Cats bar before it fell away to safety, but it was the visitors who took the lead 25 minutes from time when Wilson Isidor raced away to beat Ivor Pandur, but the goal was controversial as the Tigers felt referee Bobby Madley had got in the way of a short corner routine at the other end when Marvin Mehlem had his pocket picked.

A game of few clear cut chances, City struggled to create against the Black Cats, who returned to the top of the Championship with this victory, their second consecutive 1-0 success at the MKM Stadium.

Boss Tim Walter made four changes to the side beaten at Norwich City last time out, handing a full debut to Charlie Hughes who came in for Sean McLoughlin, while Gustavo Puerta was named in the starting XI at the expense of Oscar Zambrano, and there were returns for Xavier Simons and Abu Kamara. Sean McLoughlin, Regan Slater, Oscar Zambrano and Liam Millar all dropped to the bench, but as expected, there was no Abdus Omur though he could return in midweek against Burnley.

A fairly subdued opening 20 minutes saw both sides struggle for rhythm, though if pushed you’d probably say the visitors were carrying a greater threat, but is a low-key opening with the first effort on target not coming until 16 minutes in when Wilson Isidor spun inside the box before sending a tame effort straight at Ivor Pandur.

Kamara had a good opening but wasted the chance while a promising break after clever play from Bedia’s quick ball to Belloumi ended with the latter playing a poor ball for the striker inside the box.

City were sloppy and laboured in possession, rarely looking like creating a moment to cause panic to Anthony Patterson in the Black Cats’ goal, a mere spectator in the opening 45 minutes, while at the other end, Pandur had to be alert to block a shot with his legs, though in fairness, was hardly worked hard either in a fairly low-key first period.

The biggest moment of controversy came on the stroke of half-time when the ball over the top hit Neil’s outstretched arm and into the hands of Patterson, no penalty, and no added time, as referee Madley blew for the interval.

A similarly quiet start to the second half was almost broken when Belloumi cut in off the right before arrowing an effort inches over Patterson’s bar, with the Sunderland stopper sprawling across his goal, a rare moment of attacking threat of the hosts who had been fairly tepid in the 50 minutes prior to that effort.

The Tigers almost took the lead a couple of minutes later when Kamara surged forward, played into Bedia who spun his man and fired beyond Patterson, only to see his rising effort cannon back off the crossbar and away to safety.

City went a goal down 25 minutes from time when a short corner routine failed, again, and Sunderland broke away to score through Isidor after he overpowered Drameh. City were furious given referee Madley got in the way but Mehlem was too easily knocked off the ball while, Alfie Jones booked for his protestations.

Immediately after that, Walter made changes with Liam Millar, Regan Slater and Kasey Palmer all coming on for Puerta, Mehlem and Kamara, while shortly after that, Aaron Connolly made his MKM Stadium return with 15 minutes left replacing goalscorer Isidor.