A defeat that resulted in a late first-half penalty for Oli McBurnie that gave the Baggies a eight consecutive away defeat, in where this is the worst run since 1995-96.
It started bright as Mikey Johnston almost gave us the lead inside 4 minutes, where his free-kick was wide from the box. The Tigers threatened as Charlie Hughes and Oli McBurnie both sent their headers off target, but the only side that dominated was Albion.
Isaac Price then soon sent his finish over the bar after great play by Karlan Grant in where this was our best chance of the first half, then Grant volleyed another opportunity inches past the post around the half hour mark.
With us being the dominate team, before the break we was behind, after the referee awarded Hull a penalty after a handball. McBurnie then stepped up and scored his penalty in added time giving the Tigers an advantage at half-time.
The second half, we lacked the number of chances and openings like the first half and was more frustrating when Alfie Gilchrist got shown a surprising red card, there was one chance when Karlan Grant saw a low drive comfortably saved, while substitute Chris Mepham blocked Liam Millar’s dangerous attempt, during the second period’s earlier stages.
It was another afternoon away from home where the Baggies suffered their 8th consecutive defeat on the road and now move to 16th in the Championship.
Hull City 1-0 West Brom
Goalscorers for Hull: Oil McBurnie (P) 45+7
Another disappointing afternoon for the Baggies, but the performance away from home wasn’t as bad as the result suggests. Albion should really have been 2–0 up in the first half, with Karlan Grant and Isaac Price both missing great chances to open the scoring. A penalty decision and some poor refereeing ultimately cost us the game, as we fell to defeat in Hull just five days before Christmas.
The referee’s performance was shocking throughout. Several decisions went Hull’s way, and Alfie Gilchrist’s foul never looked like a red card — a yellow at best. Those moments completely changed the game and left us frustrated once again. This result now makes it eight away defeats in a row, and attention quickly turns to Bristol City at home on Boxing Day, where a response is badly needed.
Despite the result, the day itself started off well in Hull. We found a café before the match where I had a sausage sandwich and a latte. It took a bit of time for the food and drink to arrive, but it was a nice place and a decent way to begin the day. After that, we headed to a social club near the ground, had a few drinks, and joined in with a game that a few people from the coach were playing — one I didn’t even fully understand.
There was also the usual laugh with the same guy who never gets my name right, calling me Steve one week and Kevin the next, which seems to happen at most away games. At this point it’s become part of the routine and always gives me a chuckle.
To top it off, I even spotted myself on the football highlights, sitting next to a guy who’d turned up dressed as the Grinch, which was a pretty surreal but funny moment.
All in all, a frustrating result on the pitch, but a decent away day off it. Hopefully, Boxing Day brings a much-needed turnaround.