Hull City 0-1 Luton Town: Hatters hailed by boss Matt Bloomfield

By Jack James

HULL CITY 0

LUTON TOWN 1

Jones 46 (og)

Matt Bloomfield believes an identity is forming in his relegation-threatened Luton Town team after securing back-to-back away wins with victory at Hull City.

After winning 2-1 at Cardiff City, Luton tasted victory on their travels yet again, this time at the MKM Stadium.

Alfie Jones’ freak own-goal was the difference as the Hatters grinded out a 1-0 win, making it ten points from their last five games.

Afterwards, Bloomfield praised the travelling support as he felt his ideas were finally translating onto the pitch.

Identity

He said: “Away from home, our supporters haven’t had a huge amount to cheer about this season – and we’ve had two away wins on the road.

“For them to follow us up here, for a lunchtime kick-off at the other end of the country, needs to be really commended and thanked.

“They were amazing behind the goal.

“They’ve not had a huge amount to believe in and to cheer – and I believe they are starting to see the players play with an identity consistently.

“I’m delighted with the result and many aspects of the performance.

“We got a slice of luck with the goal obviously.

“But the defending of our goal, the shape, working together, I’m extremely proud of our players.”

Match action

The visitors produced a scare in the seventh minute as Jordan Clark dabbed the ball forward for Elijah Adebayo, whose angled shot from ten yards struck the far post.

Hull then proceeded to have more of the ball in the first half while struggling to break down their visitors.

Tigers midfielder Kasey Palmer tried to crack the resistance with a diagonal ball for Abu Kamara, but he fired wide from 25 yards in the 32nd minute.

Joe Gelhardt, playing wide left in the first half, made a driving run into the box and fell when challenged by Christ Makosso, but there was no foul.

There was then a big chance for the hosts just before the break as Gustavo Puerta swung over a cross for Gelhardt to tee up Palmer, but he had his 12-yard shot blocked by defender Mark McGuinness.

Second half

There was then a lamorous start to the second half for the Tigers, as Jones inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net within 15 seconds of the game restarting.

Hull captain Lewie Coyle smashed a clearance against Jones, and it rebounded to end up in their own net.

The East Yorkshire club had their first shot on target in the 54th minute when Coyle’s cross was met by a close-range header from Puerta straight into the arms of Thomas Kaminski.

Luton defender Amari’i Bell then did well on the hour mark to crucially dispossess striker Kyle Joseph in a dangerous position after Palmer had threaded the ball forward.

The Hatters threatened to double their advantage when Thelo Aasgard took a shot, but Jones produced a crucial block.

Luton managed the latter stages of the game well as the toothless Tigers struggled to threaten, with Kamara dragging wide a shot.

Charlie Hughes had a late attempt for Hull, but his fierce 20-yard effort in added time was tipped over by Kaminski.