Arsenal 1-2 Hull City

Last updated : 28 September 2008 By Rick Skelton
I'm going to start with an apology to all Hull City fans. I'm sorry, but if I read the dictionary from cover to cover, I still wouldn't be able to find the words that describe the sheer joy and emotion of standing in the away end at the Emirates, watching Hull City play with passion and skill, come from behind to beat the mighty Arsenal, score one of the finest goals we will ever get to see and then celebrate in front of the black and amber army. I don't want to go home; this is the best trip I've ever been on.

The announcement of the team was the first shocker of the day as Phil Brown, as expected, named a narrow midfield three but, surprisingly, named Geovanni behind a front two of King and Cousin. It was brave and ambitious but suicidal, surely? City started well again, gone are the nerves of that opening game. Our guys love playing at the top level. Every week is an adventure. Arsenal dominated possession, we knew they would, but City weren't over-run. We didn't touch the ball at all for the first minute; it was starting to get worrying. Then McShane nicked possession and City played keep ball beautifully. It was a nice sign of intent. If they were expecting a Bolton or Stoke type performance, they would be hugely disappointed. An early Adebayor 'goal' was chalked off for a push on Myhill. The Arsenal fans didn't realise for ages, I love it when that happens. At times Arsenal's football was as crisp as we've often seen on the telly but with City's tireless midfield in their faces, they played a number of sloppy passes, both in behind our defence and out of play on the touchline. We won lots of the ball, showing incredible ability to read their game and nick the ball. When we had it, we either found Marney or Geovanni with space to move into behind their midfield or we passed it forward quickly where King and Cousin again showed their ability to hold up the ball superbly. Anyone expecting one way traffic was to be frustrated. Arsenal had chances; Dawson stopped Walcott running in on goal with an incredible tackle while Turner denied Adebayor a top-in with an equally brilliant challenge in the six yard box. Walcott miscontrolled when he should've done better and three times they passed to ball sideways when they should've been more clinical. We managed a couple of corners, plenty of crossing opportunities that we spurned and a long range effort. We were comfortable though and defending superbly. Half time was greeted with cheers from the away end and apathy form the home end. Then again, everything was greeted with apathy from the home end.

It was another bright start to the second half as we forced them onto the back foot. We had a lot of joy through Cousin's prowess in the air and grew in confidence. We then conceded on the break, leaving Walcott far too much room on the right hand side. He skinned Dawson, drew Zayette and slipped the ball across the goal. It looked form the replays on the big screen that McShane scored it. A typical Arsenal goal, perhaps they really do want to walk it in? Adebayor and Van Persie missed half chances and you'd be forgiven for wondering how many it would end up. Then, it happened. The goal of the season. The best goal you'll ever see live in your life. Geovanni picked up the ball on the left, cut inside past two flailing legs and hit an absolute screamer into the top corner. It was simply incredible. The reaction in the away end was utterly insane. I thought things could never get any better than Wembley until Geovanni hit that shot.

Arsenal were stunned. Their fans and the players visibly wilted while the Tigers grew in stature and confidence. Cousin ran at the defence and forced a corner. From Dawson's beautiful delivery, Cousin leapt higher than everyone and glanced his header into the top corner. I've never heard a roar so deafening. An honest to goodness Tiger couldn't have done any better. The next thirty minutes felt like four years. We battened down the hatches and challenged Arsenal to break through us. They were good enough too. Fabregas slid a number of passes through 4 or 5 City players into the edge of the box, it was incredible to watch. Many things combines to get us to the end, two world class saves from Myhill, defensive blocks, the cross bar, poor finishing and terrific interceptions from defense and midfield. It wasn't all them, Marney and Mendy were still attacking at the end, while King would surely have run clear to score if he had anything left in the tank. Phil Brown got everything spot on. His starting line up, while brave, made sense. We closed the space in the middle and made them hit the ball in the air far more than they'd have liked. They aren't known for crossing from wide and they still won't be because Michael Turner headed everything away from goal. Our subs, Hughes, Mendy and Garcia gave us bags of energy at key times and helped us keep the shape and keep just enough of an attacking threat. The final whistle was ecstasy.

It was a career best performance from several of our players. The first was Boaz Myhill who'll make headlines for the saves, but made good decisions throughout and caught the ball confidently at key times. McShane continues to impress defensively. He isn't great on the ball but it doesn't matter when a player has the willingness he does to get up and down the pitch and put himself in positions to stop attacks. Our full-back's were crucial yesterday, given the lack of width further up the pitch and both were magnificent. Dawson continued his great form, handling Walcott superbly. He made terrific covering tackles time and again. His sense of danger is excellent and he's always in position. Phil brown did two terrific pieces of business on deadline day. Zayette was one of them; he gives us a terrific alternative to Gardner. In fact, on his two (and a bit) appearances so far, Gardner will not shift him from the first team. There aren't enough superlatives in the world to describe Michael Turner. He was the best defensive header of a ball in the Championship last year and I haven't seen anyone better so far this season. He's looking more and more comfortable on the ball and it's only his ability to bring the ball out of defence that will stop him playing for a top side.

The three in midfield, Ashbee, Boateng and Marney worked tirelessly and generally showed good quality when we had the ball. Marney took on the responsibility of providing the link between midfield and attack and barring one or two stray passes, he did it superbly. Boateng's experience was vital at the end as he cut out numerous passes in midfield and put us on the front foot to run down the clock and nearly nick a third goal. Early on, we committed a lot of fouls but they all came from a genuine desire to win the football, not any sort of tactic designed to upset Arsenal. Ian Ashbee did not look even a little bit out of place opposite Cesc Fabregas. That is remarkable.

Cousin had another great game. He's quick on the floor, he's got terrific feet, he's strong and he wins a lot of headers. A few people have looked at him and never took the chance; Browny is being rewarded thus far for doing so. Geovanni was quiet overall, as we didn't have a great deal of the ball. When he did have it, he used it well and immediately created a sense of danger amongst the Arsenal defenders. He hit a sighter in the first half that flew well wide, but his next effort is one we'll never ever forget. Marlon King would be second only to Turner for my man of the match, I think. His work rate was terrific, he never let up. He raced 40 yards to close down the 'keeper in stoppage time. His first touch is tremendous and he has great awareness of what his around him. The only criticism I'd have of him is that he was slow to react to Cousins's headers a couple of times, but otherwise, a pretty flawless attacking performance. If the King is dead, long live the new King.

It's hard to comprehend how massive an achievement it all was really. Arsenal beat AC Milan away 6 months ago, while we were winning at Colchester. They are probably one of the best 5 or 6 teams on the continent, perhaps even in the entire world. Yesterday's match programme showed our finishing position for the last 10 seasons, which highlighted that 6 of them were in the bottom division. Three of our starting eleven have played for us in the bottom division. Eleven of their starting eleven don't realise there IS a bottom division!

Credit to Phil Brown, his bravery and nous were rewarded in spectacular style. Credit to the Hull City squad, the guys who started, those who came on, those who celebrated like maniacs from the bench. Also to Dean Windass, who despite being left out, was on the pitch at the end celebrating as if he'd scored the winner himself. This journey started 104 years ago. We've all gotten on the boat at different times and yesterday, the boat sailed on proudly, encompassing it's latest and greatest destination. If you were on the top deck or down below watching on the TV, enjoy every single moment. No-one deserves it more than we do, milk every single drop of enjoyment from it. It might never, ever feel this good again. Mind you, I said that after Yeovil. Then Hillsborough. Then Cardiff. Then Wembley. Then Newcastle. When do we go to Old Trafford, again?

Ratings: Myhill 9, McShane 8, Dawson 9, Turner 9, Zayette 8, Ashbee 8, Marney 8, Boateng 8 (Garcia), Geovanni 8 (Hughes), Cousin 8 (Mendy), King 9.