Hull progress in Carabao Cup after shootout win at Stoke
By Press Association Sport Staff
Premier League new boys Hull followed up their 2-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday by knocking Stoke out of the Carabao Cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the bet365 Stadium.
Robert Bozenik opened the scoring for the hosts before the Tigers equalised through Kieran Dowell on the stroke of half time.
With neither side able to force a winner, Hull ran out 5-4 winners on penalties.
Sergej Jakirovic made 11 changes to the side that stunned Manchester United at the weekend, handing full debuts to Lucas Herrington and Matt Targett, as well as midfield pair Jens Hjerto-Dahl and Lucas Gourna-Douath.
It was a bright start from Hull, and Hjerto-Dahl in particular, who opened his body up and curled an effort towards the far post which was pushed wide by Josh Griffiths.
Paddy McNair then headed Liam Millar’s corner wide at the back post as the visitors enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges.
After losing their opening two Championship games of the season, including a 2-1 defeat to Swansea at the bet365 Stadium on the opening day, Mark Robins made seven changes as Bozenik, Luke Graham, Ben Pearson, Tomas Rigo, Million Manhoef and Laurence Giani were all handed starts.
Stoke had reportedly turned down a bid from the Tigers for star winger Sorba Thomas, and it was the Wales international who created the opener when he cut in from the left and whipped a cross in that was met by Bozenik.
The Slovakian scored the only goal when the pair last met on New Year’s Day, and the forward brushed aside McNair to head Stoke in front.
Griffiths had been given the nod in goal as Viktor Johansson was given the night off and the former West Brom stopper beat away Dowell’s first effort from distance as half-time loomed.
But the former Rangers man wasn’t to be denied a second time as he lashed home after he was picked out by Millar.
David Akintola was making his first appearance for Hull since January and spurred two golden chances to put them ahead after the break.
The Nigerian firstly steered Targett’s cross wide of the right-hand post before rounding Griffiths and firing into the side-netting after he was played in by Millar.
The forward then saw his next sight of goal comfortably saved by Griffiths.
With nothing to separate the sides at the end of 90 minutes, it was to be a penalty shootout that decided the tie.
New Stoke signing George Hirst saw his tame penalty kept out by Dillon Phillips, while Hull converted all five of their spot kicks as Mohamed Belloumi sent the Tigers into round three for the first time in six years.
