Nottingham Forest 0-2 Hull City
- Published
Jon Toral's first-half header was his first goal in 16 appearances this season
Hull City beat Nottingham Forest to earn a first league win in 10 matches and climb out of the relegation zone.
Jon Toral opened the scoring with a free header from a corner just a minute after seeing his penalty brilliantly saved by Costel Pantilimon.
Harry Wilson's close-range shot after a slick break made it 2-0 at half-time.
Forest, who hit the post through Matty Cash at 1-0, only managed one shot on target and have now lost four in five in the league under boss Aitor Karanka.
The Spaniard made 10 signings in as many days prior to facing the Tigers but the new faces could not bring a change of fortune despite a promising opening few minutes.
One of the new recruits, giant keeper Pantilimon, made a brilliant low diving stop to keep out Toral's spot-kick.
But woeful marking from the resulting set-piece gifted the same player the opening goal and Jarrod Bowen's brilliant run and pass allowed Will Keane to tee up a simple second for Wilson.
A chorus of boos accompanied the hosts as they trudged off at half-time and a dull second period brought little goalmouth incident for either side.
Forest rarely threatened to end a dismal run that means they have now failed to score in seven of their past eight league games and have lost 18 Championship matches from 31 this season.
Their first - and only - effort on target came with just over five minutes remaining when substitute Joe Lolley's shot was cleared off the line by full-back Ola Aina.
Forest's defeat means they have now lost five consecutive home league matches for the first time since January 2012, when they ended up losing six on the spin.
Nottm Forest manager Aitor Karanka:
"I told the players that this is about pressure and managing pressure. It is not easy to play in this situation.
"I came here to win games and be successful and I am not going to stop until we make that happen.
"It was another poor afternoon and I hope it is the last one. It is difficult to understand.
"I understand the crowd's frustration. I am still confident. We have made a lot of changes in the last two weeks."
Hull City boss Nigel Adkins told BBC Radio Humberside:
"It was good to win. The players have been working hard and showed resilience.
"We scored from a corner and the second was exceptional counter-attacking football at its best.
"Defensively we were solid and very resolute in what we were doing. Forest didn't have any chances and it was an exceptionally good away performance.
"It was great to celebrate with supporters at the end, as that is so important at this moment in time."
- Published3 February 2018
