Stearman's case to keep place
Wolverhampton 1 Hull City 1
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Given that these sides have scored only six goals between them in four Premier League games apiece, it's not surprising that defenders were the talk of Molineux.
Michael Turner, a big-money target for Sunderland, was hugely impressive in what may well prove to be his final Hull appearance – one which would have been victorious had Richard Stearman not guided home a half-volley that underlined his claims to more regular duty with newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers.
It was an accomplished outside-of-the-boot finish by a man whose only goal of 2008-09 came in the 90th minute on the final afternoon and who is in the side only because their Kevin Foley has a knee injury.
Mick McCarthy sees much potential in the Wolverhampton-born player, though, and is likely to switch him back to the centre of his defence.
"He had a terrific game," he said. "We've put him in at right-back and he really has grasped his chance. If he doesn't get a Cruyff turn in, he thinks the game doesn't count but he did them in the right areas."
Stearman, having equalised 42 seconds after half-time, later drove wide from 20 yards on a day Wolves were left to rue a heroic goal-line block by Turner from the incisive Kevin Doyle and the clear chances that fell late on to Andy Keogh and Sam Vokes. This was billed as a six-pointer, as much as you can have one in August, and the Premier League is unforgiving of such wastefulness.
In their first four League games last season, Wolves scored 13 goals. Over the same stretch now, they have two and it remains to be seen how much stronger they will be when the sidelined Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Michael Kightly and Chris Iwelumo return.
Hull were ordinary despite the dream start given them by Stephen Hunt's delightful cross and Geovanni's point-blank header, although well enough organised as to yield only half chances for long spells.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-4-2): Hennessey; Stearman, Craddock, Mancienne, Elokobi; Halford, Henry, Milijas, Jarvis; Keogh (Vokes, 89), Doyle. Substitutes not used: Hahnemann (gk), Edwards, Surman, Jones, Berra, Zubar.
Hull City (4-4-2): Myhill; Zayatte, Mouyokolo, Turner, Dawson; Ghilas (Fagan, 73), Olofinjana, Kilbane, Hunt; Folan (Altidore, 63), Geovanni (Barmby, 82). Substitutes not used: Warner (gk), Halmosi, Boateng, Cooper.
Referee: S Attwell (Nuneaton).
Booked: Hull Dawson, Mouyokolo.
Man of the match: Turner.
Attendance: 27,906.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments