Ireland brace not enough to beat Hull

Hull City 2 Manchester City 2: Stephen Ireland grabbed a brace but Manchester City old boy Geovanni struck back to secure a …

Hull City 2 Manchester City 2: Stephen Ireland grabbed a brace but Manchester City old boy Geovanni struck back to secure a point for Hull City at the KC stadium in a result that ended three-match league losing streaks for both sides.

Hull's flying start to their first top-flight season has been built largely on their away form. At home they had lost three and drawn one of their previous six matches and they struggled to get on top of a lively City side in the early stages before being gifted the lead.

After 14 minutes City defender Tal Ben Haim mishit a backpass to Joe Hart and  allowed Daniel Cousins to nip in and score.

City goalkeeper Hart injured his foot moments later and was replaced by Kasper Schmeichel.

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Hull were inspired and went on the offensive but were then guilty of a howler of their own at the back when Kamil Zayatte, under no real pressure in his own box, prodded the ball straight to Ireland for the equaliser after 37 minutes.

City then took control and there was nothing fortunate about Ireland's second goal as he curled in a deft right-footed shot from the edge of the box just before halftime.

Former City mifielder Geovanni saw his free-kick deflected in for a fifth goal in seven games just after the hour, but City manager Mark Hughes was disgusted with the decision to penalise Micah Richards for his aerial challenge on Cousin.

The points were shared regardless. Hull's debut in the Premier League continues to impress, while the transfer window can't come soon enough for City and their millions.