Hull City player ratings vs Luton Town as Joao Pedro passes up golden chances
Hull City's nightmare start to the season continued at Luton Town on Saturday, suffering a 1-0 defeat to fall into the bottom three.
City dominated much of the first half, but found themselves 1-0 down when Mark McGuinness turned in from a corner just after the half-hour. Joao Pedro should have equalised moments later, powering a close-range header wide.
Pedro hit a post in the second half after good play from Regan Slater as City laboured to find a way back into the game, their first shot on target coming 75 minutes in through substitute Kasey Palmer's effort from distance.
Here's how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at Kenilworth Road on Saturday afternoon....
Ivor Pandur: Notched a century of appearances in his career against Town, made a routine early save from a corner. Could do little about the opening goal but did his job after that. 7/10
Cody Drameh: Against the club he spent a successful loan spell at, had an early shot blocked and blazed over in injury time. 7/10
Charlie Hughes: A couple of nervy moments before his flicked header at the near post found McGuinness to turn home. Physical battle but stood up to it. 7/10
Alfie Jones: Rode his luck on a couple of occasions but did his job as you'd expect in the opening stages and that continued. 7/10
Lewie Coyle: Booked in the first period, before creating a gilt-edged chance for Pedro who somehow headed wide. Another hard-working display from the skipper. 7/10
Regan Slater: Industrious in the first half, though he did pass up a chance to shoot instead opting to make a needless pass. Gorgeous cross for Pedro early in the second which saw the Italian hit the post. 6.5/10
Gustavo Puerta: Caught in possession early on which almost caused a major problem and then wasted a good opening at the other end. Offered very little throughout in the middle of the park. 5/10
Xavier Simons: Blazed a shot over the bar in a first half where he showed some nice touches, no shortage of endeavour. 6/10
Abdus Omur: Faced a tough battle against Teden Mengi, who largely got the better of him. Offered very little again, operating off the right which is hardly his best position. 5/10
Abu Kamara: A welcome return to the starting XI after a two-game lay-off and could have created the opening goal after four minutes, but made the wrong decision. Showed glimpses but looks bereft of confidence. 6/10
Joao Pedro: Offered little in the first half bar the one moment where he managed to head wide from close range. A huge chance passed up. Hit the post in the second half but should have buried it. 6/10
Subs:
Ryan Longman (for Puerta 57): Showed promise down the right when he could get on the ball. Crossed for Bedia who poked wide late on. 6/10
Kasey Palmer (for Omur 71): Had City's first shot on target moments after coming on with a fizzing low drive from the edge of the box and then saw an effort deflect off the goalkeeper over. Made a real difference. 7/10
Chris Bedia (for Simons 87): Could have snatched an equaliser when he prodded wide from Longman's cross at the near post. 5/10
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