YET again the Blues tossed away a winning position and, in front of chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak, the hosts were booed off amid growing concern at what is becoming a mid-table position despite a summer outlay of £120m.
Not even the return of Robinho could trigger a victory, although admittedly City were in front when the Brazilian departed 15 minutes from the end of his comeback game.
Iin a drab first half that City dominated but created little, the Brazilian was one of the few shining lights.
Am impish curling shot from the edge of the area brought the crown to its feet as it fizzed wide and a well-executed overhead kick was not that far away when the former Real Madrid star next had a sight of goal.
Robinho also played a significant role in the Blues goal, although it was only as a by-product of being chopped down in his own half by Paul McShane.
At a time when referees seem to be being berated at every turn, Lee Probert deserves plenty of credit for the way he did his job, applying an advantage City took maximum advantage of.
In ferrying the ball quickly up field, the Blues finally gave themselves a chance to run at the Hull defence.
Wright-Phillips eventually found himself with the ball at his feet, letting fly from 20 yards.
Hull keeper Matt Duke appeared to have it covered but as he set himself to make a routine save, Anthony Gardner tried to head the ball and succeeded only in sending it into the bottom corner.
Within a minute of the restart as City's defence fell asleep . There was little obvious danger in a ball that was bouncing about just outside the City box. But one simple pass from Jozy Altidore provided Richard Garcia with a clear sight of goal.
Garcia calmly lifted his shot over Shay Given but thankfully for the Blues, Lescott had spotted the danger and cleared off the line.
Shaun Wright-Phillips appeared to be hauled down by Stephen Hunt after a mazy run but Probert looked away.
However, he was quick to point to the spot when the ball appeared to hit Joleon Lescott on the arm.
Jimmy Bullard dispatched the penalty and celebrated with a dressing down of his team-mates, mimicking Phil Brown's infamous telling off at Eastlands to his players last season.
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
BLUE NOSE (28/11/2009 at 18:03)
Hughes must go now, as clearly he has lost the plot and will never take this team to the next level!!
I would also consider bencing lescott, adebayor and bridge and make them fight for their place in the team!!
Sean Lynch (28/11/2009 at 18:05)
His backroom team is poor as well, Really a bunch of lower league guys, that is where thy belong.
Maine Blue, Altrincham (28/11/2009 at 18:05)
Hughes - GET OUT!
RobertaJD, Manchester (28/11/2009 at 18:05)
CITY FOR LIFE
Phil , Sacramento, CA U.S.A. (28/11/2009 at 18:06)
Egg!
Straight to the point, Westhoughton (28/11/2009 at 18:07)
wollongong blue. Aus (28/11/2009 at 18:09)
kez's blue moon, blackpool (28/11/2009 at 18:10)
Raziola, Savi's place (28/11/2009 at 18:10)
blue in hulme (28/11/2009 at 18:10)
Raziola, Savi's place (28/11/2009 at 18:10)
Raziola, Savi's place (28/11/2009 at 18:11)
Raziola, Savi's place (28/11/2009 at 18:11)
BlueWulf Blue (28/11/2009 at 18:11)
I'm not sure who we can really blame today though i'm sure the usual whingers will find a scapegoat. Tactically, i don't think we got a whole lot wrong and Hull played with a lot of spirit.
Raziola, Savi's place (28/11/2009 at 18:11)
Raziola, Savi's place (28/11/2009 at 18:11)
blue since the summer of '69, gt.yarmouth (28/11/2009 at 18:12)
at least by 10. Spending 200 million and looking no better than Hull or newly promoted Burnley takes some doing. Maybe Mark Hughes is a genius after all ??
wheniwasyoung, gorton (28/11/2009 at 18:15)
trueblue, manchester (28/11/2009 at 18:15)
Wax on. Wax off, Jersey (ex Sale, Manchester) (28/11/2009 at 18:16)
ad, stockie (28/11/2009 at 18:16)
The bottomline is, we have a clueless manager who has wasted a lot of money on overrated players with big reputations but don't deliver. I would be livid if I was Sheik Mansour. However, i don't think that City aren't meant to be good and it doesn't matter what manager or players we get, we'll always be mediocre because i firmly believe that some things are not meant to be in life. Some may laugh at that but so far, i haven't been proved wrong. Everything has a place in the world.
We will lose against Arsenal and Chelsea and will finish mid-table.
Helmet Pelmet, Market harborough (28/11/2009 at 18:17)
Hughes is out of his depth & has never shown any tactical nous - barring the "banging ball" - no doubt that will change soon! Simpletons think he can do a job here - no chance.
Frequent Flyer, Altrincham (28/11/2009 at 18:18)
I'm an 'impeccable' one ! 10 Feb '08, Florida (28/11/2009 at 18:19)
A team with this many premiership experienced, trophy winning (for other clubs) & 'tough' players continue to look tentative and uncertain ! why ?
Those shouting for Tevez to start with Ade, got their wish.
Those wanting Rob to come back and give us some spark, got their wish.
Those saying SWP has been poor saw a much better display today.
Bridge also gave his dissenters some food for thought with a decent performance.
BUT WE STILL COULDN'T BEAT HULL AT HOME ! in a weekend when some, if not all of the teams currently around us (Villa, Spurs & 'Pool) will drop points !
arrrggghhhhhhh ....... so frustrating !
Njinsky Blue, Spain (28/11/2009 at 18:19)
I was not pro Hughes when he was appointed but having got the job, he obviously had to be given some time but it is clear that he does not have the capacity to manage at the top level, having surrounded himself with his incompetent buddies as coaches. Some will say it is work in progress but for me it is a team in decline. (Hull have taken 8 points from their last four games and City 7 from their last seven games). I hope the Sheikh will have the ability to go out and offer Hiddink whatever it takes to get him to Eastlands but I doubt whether this is going to happen. If Hughes is to remain, then for goodness sake I hope he has the guts to recognise the inadequacies that exist and get the only decent coach at City into the first team slot-Brian Kidd.