Sunderland 1-3 Hull: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.Tigers too good for Black CatsSubstitute Nikica Jelavic completed a remarkable fightback as Hull's agonising wait for a Barclays Premier League victory came to an end at the 11th attempt at Sunderland.The striker cemented a 3-1 victory in the sixth minute of stoppage time to extend the Tigers' hold over the Black Cats following last season's treble success against them.Steve Bruce's men, who last claimed all three points against Crystal Palace on October 4, were behind within 30 seconds after Adam Johnson punished skipper Curtis Davies' calamitous error.However, in front of a largely horrified Boxing Day crowd of 44,817, Uruguayan Gaston Ramirez levelled from distance with 33 minutes gone with City's first goal in 333 minutes of football to set the stage for defender James Chester and Jelavic to snatch the points.It proved a frustrating afternoon for Ramirez's compatriot Gus Poyet, who had challenged his side to put together back-to-back victories after their derby success at Newcastle, but saw them wilt in disappointing fashion, although they felt they should have been awarded a first-half penalty and were furious at award of the free-kick which immediately preceded Chester's goal.Hull arrived on Wearside with injuries and suspensions leaving Steve Bruce desperately short of options and with a run of 10 league games without a win leaving them even shorter on confidence, and things were to get significantly worse before they improved markedly.There were only 30 seconds on the clock when, after Davies - he had shaken off a calf problem to start - left a back-pass to keeper Allan McGregor woefully short and then compounded the error by trying to shield the ball back, Johnson nipped in to round the Scotland international and slot home.The home fans, still basking in the glory of the former Manchester City winger's winner at St James' Park on Sunday, rose to acclaim a belatedly emerging hero and settled down in the hope of a rare routine victory.Sunderland dominated the early stages and might have increased their lead with 16 minutes gone had Liam Rosenior not managed to get a block on Sebastian Larsson's goal-bound shot.But the Tigers responded and with Ramirez, Robbie Brady and Stephen Quinn starting to make an impression, they eased their way back into the game and restored parity 12 minutes before the break, if with the help of a slice of good fortune.There seemed to be little on for Ramirez when he picked up possession 30 yards out and made ground, but his dipping shot reared awkwardly off the turn in front of keeper Costel Pantilimon and flew inside the post.Poyet's men dug in once again and came close to restoring their advantage during a flurry of activity at the end of the half with Alex Bruce fortunate to survive appeals for handball in the box and Quinn less so and Sebastian Larsson having a header cleared off the line.McGregor managed to beat away a near-post shot from defender Santiago Vergini in stoppage time, but the Tigers survived and left the pitch with the boos ringing around the Stadium of Light aimed at referee Andre Marriner.The visitors returned in positive mood and with their hosts untidy during the opening minutes of the second half, made the better start with Pantilimon tipping over a disputed 50th-minute free-kick from Brady after Jordi Gomez had been adjudged to have fouled Black Cats old boy David Meyler.They got their reward from the resulting corner when Ramirez delivered the ball to the near post and Chester got in front of Vergini to power a header into the top corner.Sone Aluko might have made more of the acres of space he was afforded by the Black Cats defence five minutes later, but shot tamely at Pantilimon, and Poyet swiftly withdrew Gomez and Ricky Alvarez to send on Emanuele Giaccherini and Jozy Altidore.But the visitors continued to threaten and striker Steven Fletcher had to be in the right place at the right time to clear Davies' goal-bound 67th-minute header, although Pantilimon was beaten again at the death when Ahmed Elmohamady played in Jelavic and he finished in styleSource : PA
Source: PA