Willock and Hall Fire Newcastle Past Hull City in 2-1 Win
Newcastle have moved up to eighth on eight points after holding off Hull City for a 2-1 win, leaving the two sides separated only by goal difference.
What we know
- Joe Willock struck after three minutes, responding quickly to Newcastle’s 4-1 defeat at Leeds last Monday. Lewis Hall made it 2-0 four minutes later after combining with Harvey Barnes, finishing low beyond Konstantinos Tzolakis.
- Hull’s £20 million summer goalkeeper Tzolakis had conceded only twice before this match. He kept the visitors in contention by saving Yoane Wissa’s weak penalty in first-half stoppage time after Sorba Thomas fouled Jacob Murphy.
- Newcastle were without eight senior players. Tino Livramento was the latest injury concern after picking up a hamstring problem on Friday, while 18-year-old Sean Steur started in midfield.
- Hull threatened before the break when Thomas narrowly failed to turn in Matt Crooks’ cross at the near post.
- Mohamed Belloumi created Hull’s goal after taking possession from Lewis Miley during a defensive error. Substitute Mohamed-Ali Cho then bent a left-footed finish past Lukas Hornicek to cut the gap.
- Fabian Schär had replaced Steur as Newcastle switched to a back three, but Hull dominated the closing stages with crosses and attempts in search of an equaliser.
What happens next
The international break comes next. Newcastle, led by Matthias Jaissle, return against Coventry City as they aim to build on the result despite their injury problems. Hull, whose unbeaten run of two wins and two draws ended, will prepare for Everton under Sergej Jakirovic.
