Super-sub O'Connor tames Tigers

Substitute Garry O'Connor was Birmingham's hero with the only goal of a drab encounter against Hull City.

Birmingham claim all three points at KC Stadium

Substitute Garry O'Connor was Birmingham's hero as he headed home the only goal of a drab encounter against Hull City at the KC Stadium. O'Connor, who had only been introduced in the 62nd minute, climbed highest at the near post to head home Keith Fahey's corner kick 15 minutes from time. The corner had been awarded after Boaz Myhill made a superb save from Christian Benitez's powerful shot, with the Ecuador international making an impressive first Premier League start. Geovanni missed a glorious chance to level when he screwed wide from close range with Blues appealing in vain for offside before Ibrahima Sonko headed against the face of the bar in the closing moments. Myhill also had to tip over good efforts from Lee Bowyer and Benitez in the first period, while Joe Hart had few alarms in the Birmingham goal as the Tigers struggled to create many genuine openings. Hull had an early chance after Stephen Carr was booked for a foul on Stephen Hunt on the left. Hunt swung in the resulting free-kick towards Jozy Altidore and Kamil Zayatte also seemed to get a touch in the ensuing scramble but Birmingham cleared. Hunt continued his lively start with a swerving shot from 30 yards moments later but Hart parried to safety. Birmingham's first chance came as Benitez showed good skill on the edge of the area and turned neatly to shoot but Myhill saved low down and Andy Dawson cleared.

Fierce drive

It was the first of three good saves in quick succession from the Wales international as Birmingham enjoyed a good spell. Myhill first pushed away a Barry Ferguson flick and then quickly regained his feet to tip over a fierce drive from Bowyer. Gary McSheffrey then flashed wide from outside the edge of the box as Birmingham, despite their poor scoring record, showed some promise. Hull responded as Olofinjana made a powerful run into the box and squared across goal but Scott Dann slid in and forced Josy Altidore to scuff his shot. Geovanni tried his luck from 25 yards but his low effort bobbled wide. The Brazilian then fired in a dangerous cross but Roger Johnson's touch took it away from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who was making his first Hull start. A long throw by Sonko was unconvincingly punched away by Hart but Birmingham just managed to hack behind as Vennegoor of Hesselink threatened. Benitez, sporting a bandage after a clash of heads with Zayatte, created another opportunity on the stroke of half-time but Myhill tipped over. Altidore worked his way into the box early in the second half but Hart saved after the American checked and shot left-footed. Paul McShane then failed to cut out a Stuart Parnaby pass and allowed Birmingham to break but Hull survived as Keith Fahey headed McSheffrey's cross wide.

Scare

Geovanni tested Hart again with another good effort from the edge of the box from a Vennegoor of Hesselink lay-off but the keeper was again alert. Myhill was soon back in the thick of the action as Parnaby found himself wide open on the right but shot straight at the Hull keeper. Myhill then produced an even better point-blank save from Bowyer after Johnson had risen high to knock down a corner from McSheffrey. Hull survived another scare after a Hart goalkick found its way to Benitez but he was unable to get a shot away. Hull had another turn in the ascendancy with Carr heading away a delicate McShane cross at the far post and substitute Kamel Ghilas having a shot blocked for a corner. But play quickly switched the other end as Benitez skipped past Dawson and Myhill again saved at the expense of a corner. Fahey's delivery from the set-piece was perfect and found O'Connor, who came on for McSheffrey just after the hour, unmarked to head home at the near post. Hull, in their response, appealed for a penalty after Hunt went down under a challenge from Dann but Phil Dowd gave nothing, although replays suggested the Tigers were hard done by. The Tigers rallied for one late charge and Geovanni shot wide before Sonko headed against the bar from a corner. Another goalmouth scramble ensued but Blues somehow held out.

Hull City	Team Statistics	Birmingham City
0	Goals	1
0	1st Half Goals	0
3	Shots on Target	8
6	Shots off Target	5
7	Blocked Shots	2
10	Corners	8
15	Fouls	13
0	Offsides	2
0	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
70.1	Passing Success	67.7
15	Tackles	16
66.7	Tackles Success	56.2
43	Possession	57
55.1	Territorial Advantage	44.9