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Hull 2 - West Brom 0: Long and short of an official clanger
IF SHANE LONG wants a good reception when he makes a return to West Brom, he has another think coming.
It may yet be a while before he heads back to The Hawthorns as his old club hovers above the drop zone, but you can be sure this match will not be forgotten.
The Irish striker may not have celebrated after slotting home the second goal as Hull took a giant stride towards Premier League safety.
For Albion’s supporters it was way too little, way too late.
Long theatrically went down as Craig Dawson attempted to challenge him. Many would say a shocking dive, a few would argue he tripped over himself, but no one would have said penalty. All except referee Chris Foy.
Baggies boss Pepe Mel described a spot kick awarded by the official against Crystal Palace last month as “laughable”, but this was no laughing matter.
The fact Long started to play on should have provided a clue but after a delay Foy pointed to the spot. To rub salt into the wounds, Nikica Jelavic’s awful attempt was saved by Ben Foster, only for Liam Rosenior to head in his first Hull goal in 133 appearances and his first strike since 2009.
Long (who else?) added a second seven minutes from the break. Hull manager Steve Bruce said: “It might be a soft penalty but Chris Foy was 10 yards away so maybe he saw or heard contact."
Mel said: “The penalty was a bad decision from the referee.”
MAN OF MATCH: TOM HUDDLESTONE – every Hull attack went through him, almost every West Brom one did not.
MATCH FACTS
HULL: McGregor; Elmohamady, Chester, Davies, Rosenior; Aluko (Koren 61), Huddlestone, Livermore, Meyler; Long (Quinn 77), Jelavic (Sagbo 84).
WBA: Foster; Reid, McAuley (Sinclair 79), Dawson, Ridgewell; Morrison, Mulumbu, Dorrans; Sessegnon; Bifouma (Vydra 61), Anichebe (Berahino 76).
Ref: C Foy
Att: 23,486