Arsenal 1-2 Hull: Gunners stunned as Tigers come roaring back to win

A wonder goal from a Brazilian stunned the Emirates crowd as Hull produced one of the shocks of the season.

What manager Phil Brown's team lacked in guile they more than made up for with endeavour and the Tigers recovered from going a goal behind to score twice in four minutes and pull off a result that sent shockwaves rolling through the Premier League.

An own-goal from Paul McShane had given Arsenal the lead - but Hull responded with a superb 20-yard shot from Geovanni, Then, amazingly, they took the lead with Daniel Cousin's wonderful header from a corner.

As if to reflect the depth of talent at his disposal, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger had made ELEVEN changes from the team that hammered Sheffield United in the Carling Cup last Tuesday night. To combat the nononsense approach of Hull, Wenger went for his tried and trusted, experienced men. And they had to be up for the fight.

Hull have a veritable in-yourface policy, as Theo Walcott found after an early tussle with Andy Dawson, and then Denilson was dumped on the turf unceremoniously by George Boateng.

Arsenal were forced to make full use of the pace of fullbacks Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna and such a move gave Cesc Fabregas the chance to shoot from 20 yards, but the ball flew wide.

Sagna's deep cross was headed home by Emmanuel Adebayor but the effort was ruled out for a foul on McShane.

Then a magnificent tackle by Dawson on Walcott thwarted England's new hero as he threatened to break clear.

Taking prisoners was clearly not an option for Hull and Dean Marney was lectured by referee Alan Wiley for a late challenge on Adebayor, and only a late lunge by Michael Turner frustrated Adebayor as he closed in on a William Gallas cross.

Hull relied on swift breakaways to relieve the pressure, though Geovanni was the epitome of optimism as he tried his luck from way out and the ball was more of a danger to those on the platform at nearby Finsbury Park station than Manuel Almunia's goal.

A much more clear-cut opportunity fell to Walcott whose touch for once failed him in front of an open goal.

Hull's pressing game was a major source of irritation to Arsenal and passes began to go astray as the visitors grew in confidence.

The tight marking of McShane and Dawson prevented too much penetration down the flank and patience was proving to be a vital weapon in the Arsenal armoury.

Walcott's brilliant run forced the own goal, and the crowd breathed a sigh of relief. But then came that stunning turnround.

DID YOU KNOW?

This was only the 12th time these two met. They played eight times between 1908 and 1930 but had had just three League Cup meetings since,

Stat Attack at THE EMIRATES ATT: 60,037

How they rated

ARSENAL

Subs endtner (Eboue) 6, Vela (Walcott) 5.

HULL

Subs: Hughes (Geovanni) 6, Cousin (Mendy) 6.

MAN OF THE MATCH

DANIEL COUSIN

Deserved his goal as a reward for his unselfish efforts - always had the Gunners stretched

7

MANAGERS

A wenger Could have brought Bendtner on sooner.

7

8

P Brown His team were never intimidated.

REFEREE: A WILEY 7

Story of the game

4 hots on Target 5

12 Shots off Target 2

15 Corners 4

10 ouls Conceded 0

4 of sides

2 Yellow 1

0 Red 0

Possession

62% 38%

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