The game: City 5-1 Hull
The date: December 26, 2008
The story: A Boxing Day performance that saw City click, with Stephen Ireland the star of the show at the Etihad.
We were 4-0 up and cruising at half-time, thanks to braces for both Felipe Caicedo and Robinho, with Ireland assisting two of the four.
After the break, Craig Fagan hit a consolation goal to reduce the arrears, before Ireland capped his man-of-the-match display with a fine finish.
City, particularly in the first 45 minutes, were breathless and ruthless in attack.
The result saw Mark Hughes’ side move out of the relegation zone.
“When we’re on the front foot, the quality of our attacking play is there for all to see,” Hughes said afterwards.
“But what we haven’t been able to do is produce that on a consistent basis.
“We have had occasions in recent weeks where we have disappointed. We have got quality in the side but collective and individual errors haven’t allowed us to play with the freedom with have today.”
However, the game is perhaps best remembered for a bizarre incident that saw Hull boss Phil Brown deliver his half-time teamtalk on the pitch, just in front of the travelling supporters.
“Our 4,000 travelling fans deserved some kind of explanation for the first-half performance and it was difficult for me to do that from the confines of a changing room,” Brown said.
“We owed them an apology for the first-half performance.”
CITY+ | SIGN UP TO ACCESS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
Teams
Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Dunne, Richards (Onuoha 46), Ball, Wright-Phillips, Ireland (Fernandes 85), Kompany, Elano, Robinho, Caicedo (Jo 46).
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Vassell, Garrido, Sturridge.
Goals: Caicedo 15, 27, Robinho 28, 36, Ireland 82.
Hull: Myhill, Mendy, Zayatte, Turner, McShane, Boateng (Doyle 34), Geovanni (Cousin 70), Ashbee, Marney, Windass (Fagan 46), King.
Subs Not Used: Duke, Barmby, Hughes, Halmosi.
Booked: Geovanni, Zayatte, Fagan, Mendy.
Goals: Fagan 80.
Att: 45,196
Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
Official Man City Start Page and Wallpapers
Get the Official Manchester City Start page for your Chrome browser. Add the extension to your browser, for the latest news and wallpapers in your desktop tab.
