Blues beaten by Hull in Rooney’s first home game

Wayne Rooney suffered a second consecutive defeat as Birmingham City’s new manager as his Blues side were outwitted by his good friend Liam Rosenior’s Hull City.

Hull looked good value for their first win in five games as they climbed to eighth in the Championship table.

But, while it was a triumph for Rooney’s former Derby number two Rosenior, boos rang around St Andrew’s from the home fans at the final whistle.

After losing in the last minute in his first game in charge at Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough on Saturday, Rooney was looking for a fast start in his first home match at the helm to encapsulate the ‘no fear’ football Blues’ American owners have craved.

But it did not come as Delap put the Tigers ahead inside 12 minutes.

Blues wing-back Manny Longelo sold his goalkeeper short with a backpass, Delap raced on to it, rounded John Ruddy and slotted in for his fourth goal of the season.

In an open first half, Juninho Bacuna then had a shot tipped over the bar for Blues, but Hull were so close to cashing in on another defensive blunder.

Dion Sanderson lost possession trying to play out from the back but Ruddy was off his line sharply to deny Scott Twine.

Blues remained in the contest after the break, making a key second-half switch when they brought veteran target man Lukas Jutkiewicz off the bench to replace the diminutive Jay Stansfield.

It worked for Blues on American Football legend Brady’s last visit back in August when Jutkiewicz scored a stoppage-time penalty to win John Eustace’s side all three points against Leeds United.

But Birmingham appear to have temporarily lost that early-season fighting spirit they had under Eustace – and lightning did not strike a second time.

Instead it was former Aston Villa youngster Philogene who scored Hull’s clinching second goal as he curled an excellent low right-foot shot past Ruddy, beating the keeper just inside his left upright.

Who’s next?

Birmingham, who have dropped to 12th in the table, travel to Southampton on Saturday, who are fifth after getting a late draw at Preston.

Preston are next up for Hull, who they play at the MKM Stadium, also on Saturday.

Birmingham City manager Wayne Rooney told BBC Radio WM:

“There were some good moments but we created problems for ourselves, giving the ball away too cheaply.

“And the really disappointing thing was that, after the second goal, I didn’t see a response and I’ve told the players that.

“That last 10 minutes or so told me a lot. It was a concern for me and it’s something that won’t happen again.

“We have to be patient – and we will get there. At the minute, we’re on a learning curve.”

Hull City boss Liam Rosenior told BBC Radio Humberside:

“It was like the first 60-70 minutes against Southampton, except we shot more this time.

“We had more end product. More shots, more crosses and we were more positive. The players responded well from a big setback.

“This is what the Championship is about. Every team is going to have setbacks. It’s how you respond that counts.

“Wayne is a top, top manager and a top guy. We are just further along in the process than they are. He’s only just started here, I know what he wants to achieve here and it will take time. Unfortunately for him we came out on top this time.”