Hull City vs Cardiff City. Sky Bet Championship.
MKM StadiumAttendance22,665.
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Cardiff City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday; Bachir Belloumi scores first two Tigers goals as Tim Walter's side stroll to victo
Saturday 28 September 2024 18:06, UK
Managerless Cardiff remain bottom of the Sky Bet Championship and without a league victory after a 4-1 defeat at Hull.
The Bluebirds, who last Sunday sacked Erol Bulut following their worst start to a season in 94 years, opened the scoring through Callum Robinson after 18 minutes but fell apart thereafter.
Man of the match Bachir Belloumi equalised four minutes later with his first goal for Hull before adding a fine second after 35 minutes.
Any hope of a Cardiff revival under interim coach Omer Riza disappeared after the restart when Oscar Zambrano's deflected hit squirmed into the bottom-left corner.
Chris Bedia's stoppage-time penalty, after Perry Ng fouled Abu Kamara, confirmed a Hull rout.
These are troubling times for Cardiff who, by contrast to most of the game, were far quicker into their stride than Hull.
And their early efforts were recorded with the opening goal, which was created by Anwar El Ghazi, who zipped a low cross down the right flank.
Robinson evaded Hull's high line - the hosts were adamant the Republic of Ireland international was offside - before planting the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
Cardiff's lead was fleeting as Hull quickly equalised in slightly odd circumstances.
Belloumi cut in from the right touchline before sending over from the angle of the penalty box what appeared to be a left-footed cross.
But the Algeria international's dipping hit from distance evaded a wall of players before snugly resting into the bottom-left corner.
There was, however, no doubting the quality of Belloumi's second goal.
The Hull winger controlled Marvin Mehlem's cute pass into the penalty area before cooly dinking the ball over Jak Alnwick.
Luckless Alnwick at least kept his side in the game just before the interval when he tipped Chris Bedia's 10-yard strike over the crossbar after Calum Chambers was too easily outmuscled.
But Cardiff's plight worsened after 51 minutes when a well-worked short corner gave Zambrano a clear sight on goal.
Zambrano's scuffed shot was on target, but a huge deflection badly wrongfooted Alnwick.
The besieged Cardiff goalkeeper later did well to deny Belloumi a hat-trick with a super save after 54 minutes as the hosts threatened to cut loose.
Riza will at least be heartened that his players showed far greater resolve once Belloumi was taken off on the hour, with El Ghazi and Rubin Colwill both going close.
But the damage was done long before Bedia scored from the spot as Hull claimed back-to-back Championship victories during a week in which they celebrated their 120th birthday.
It will be some time before Cardiff get the chance to party on this evidence.
Hull's Tim Walter:
"He [Belloumi] is a good player. We know he's good player and that he will score goals if he gets the assists.
"We have to stay calm with him and he has to confirm it all the team. Not one player can win a game. We have a good bench and they showed it.
"We need all of the players. That's why we try to treat them players all the same and be one family."
"We showed that we are a good team and have a good mentality. We could have scored a few more, but we could have also conceded two goals more.
"I'm delighted not only with the result but with the performance as we showed we can win at home.
"Their first goal was offside, but we have to accept it. But we showed how we can stick together and showed the will to win in an impressive way.
"How they kept their heads high was impressive and showed to everybody that the guys are sticking together and trying to create something here."
Cardiff caretaker Omer Riza:
"We approached the game in a positive way. We wanted bodies in advanced positions, and we wanted to be creative.
"I don't think it was a 4-1 game - there was a really aggressive approach to our attacking and defensive play - but it was.
"But the details of when it counted, we faltered, and that's something we can only work on over time.
"I have to remain positive. I still believe there's something more to come as a team to really have another go.
"We need results now, but it takes time. Tuesday against Millwall is another massive game. We have to be on point otherwise it will be a difficult evening."
"I want to be a head coach - I've made no secret of that. I've been ready for the last couple of seasons to step into a position like this.
"I've not just walked off a street. I've worked in coaching for the last 13 years and my time will come when it comes.
"I'm taking each game and each training session as I can.
"I'll act in a professional way and makes sure the boys keep working away and that the club is in the best position."
