Stoke 0 Hull 0 11/2/23 3pm
It’s not just that there were only 1 or possibly 2 shots on target for Stoke. It’s the fact that no one can remember any of them. Hull supposedly had 3! Stoke looked toothless, but now at least have a decent goalkeeper in Sarkic. And that’s it really. Here’s how this goalless draw panned out in real time:
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Yes, the clash of the mid-table Cities (if you ignore Coventry, Birmingham, Bristol, Norwich and Swansea). In fact, that should be Stoke’s target, to finish above all those Cities (& Cardiff, although that alone won’t take much doing). Stoke drop Capt Lewis Baker (about time, some might say), and pensioner Jagielka becomes top-dog today. Newbie Ki-Jana Hoever starts at right wingback, & the home crowd get a first proper look at new keeper Marina Sarkic (a-splendid in bright pink). But Selina is benched alongside returning Powell and youngster David Okagbue (Irish defender). A minute silence for Turkey earthquake victims.
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13.20 Stoke supporters attempt a lacklustre version of Delilah. Not many joining in, but if Stoke score…
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14.33 Hull’s Oscar Estupinan (the well-known anagram) robs Thompson in midfield & charges forward to hit a blistering shot for Sarkic to finger-tip wide. It’s like watching real football!
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16.15 Just realised that Hull are playing in black and black striped shirts. Who designed that?? Even their black armbands are invisible.
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24.45 Terrible looking clash between Stoke newbie Hoever and Elder, the replay makes it look even worse. After writhing in agony, Somehow they play on.
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28.18 City’s Morgan Fox gets back to block a shot from Tufan, who had a certain clear shot on goal. Constantly improving Mr Fox.
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33.20 Jagielka pass to Wilmot is pretty dreadful. Under no pressure, it skews well wide for a throw. C’mon Captain!
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37.05 Fashion moment! Stoke’s current first team shirt has no long-sleeve option (probably because the design doesn’t lend itself to one). However, 60% of Stoke’s players today are playing with white long-sleeved undershirts, as if they have long white sleeves (making it all look like a poor-man’s Arsenal disaster!). They didn’t think that through, did they?!
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40.50 Aaron Connolly trying to pull a fast one for Hull, by gingerly lying down in front of the dug outs, but when the game doesn’t stop, he stands up again. When the ball goes out, he sits down again, but the ref’s had enough of this nonsense, and tells him to make his mind up. He decides to hobble on.
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HT City 0 City 0 (at least three of the other cities in the Championship have scored, mind)
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Attendance 23970. How?
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54.10 After Fox loses the ball, Sarkic makes a great save, before the ball is given away again and Hull miss a clear cut chance, slicing over from close range. A let off for Stoke.
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59.40 Jacob Brown & Nick Powell on for Tyrese and Gayle. Meanwhile Sarkic gets Jagielka out of a mess this time.
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72.22 Brown has half a chance…but nothing to write home about.
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74.30 Ryan Woods (ex-Stokie) comes on for Hull, and young striker Emre Tezgel comes on for Hoever. It’s a popular choice. (Well, not the Ryan Woods bit!)
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81.35 Woods is booked! Replay shows he didn’t do anything!
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88.10 Powell tries to flick in a winner, after a Brown cross is touched on by Smallbone. Pitiful, really, but it made Nick smile. Well, that’s nice for him.
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89.55 Celina & Baker on for Smallbone & Laurent.
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90+3 Thank god that’s all over. 0-0
