Sunday's Hull reax

Jeremy Cross, Independent on Sunday

Yet City produced one of the most woeful halves of football since Mancini took charge. To Hull's credit they failed to let the visitors settle but this could not excuse City's overall lack of urgency and desire. It took them until first half stoppage time to have a shot on goal and the fact it was the full-back Bridge spoke volumes for their plight.

Sandy Mcaskill, Sunday Telegraph

But Manchester City’s away record is as bad as Hull’s at home is good: they have won just one of their last nine games away from Eastlands, and it appears as though opposition have got the measure of the side. It is a problem that Mancini must put right post haste. The Italian refused to admit any concern, reminding that “we have two games in hand” – but he did concede that his side must be more aggressive away from home. “If we want to make the top four, we must win away and we must fight. We must be aggressive away, not like in the first half.”

Mikey Stafford, The Observer

For the first half-hour, Bridge cut a pretty lonely figure as Hull focused on the visitors' right flank, with Stephen Hunt and, in particular, Altidore giving Pablo Zabaleta and Dedryck Boyata a torrid time. Mancini fielded arguably his strongest side, except for Boyata, who deputised for the injured Joleon Lescott in the centre of the defence, and his inexperience showed.

Richard Rae, Sunday Times

It was certainly true that the England left-back was one of City’s better performers on his comeback from injury. Unfortunately for Mancini, that isn’t saying a great deal. Required to stand up and be counted against a Hull team full of confidence, energy and determination after gaining a deserved draw against Chelsea on Tuesday, too many wearing Sky Blue wilted and several all but disappeared.

Bob Cass, Mail on Sunday

Maybe Roberto Mancini has not been at Eastlands long enough to get out the hair dryer. The Blues boss suggested his team improved as the game went on. He was right, but for players who pick up the equivalent of a decent Lottery win in wages each week, this was not good enough.

Manchester City looked as far away from the top four as Hull did from the bottom three. Goals by Jozy Altidore and George Boateng gave Hull breathing space and although Emanuel Adebayor pulled one back, there was no denying the merits of Hull's victory.