Hull’s former Bolton striker Delroy Facey and summer signing from Stockport, Aaron Wilbraham, caused the Blues backline few problems. In fact, the only time Hull attacked the City defence in the opening stages was when the home crowd booed England goalkeeper David James - making his first appearance since Euro 2004.
Claudio Reyna showed he was feeling sharp after international duty over the summer and had the first meaningful shot on goal, firing narrowly over from 25 yards on 15 minutes.
An industrious Robbie Fowler then passed to Shaun Wright-Phillips, who laid the ball onto Jon Macken in the right channel. Although the striker’s first cross was blocked, the ball came back to him and he crossed once more for Wright-Phillips to flick the ball over Matt Duke and in off the far post.
Wright-Phillips was almost in again when left-back Ben Thatcher - making his first City outing - played a long ball forward but it was just too long for the England hopeful.
The home side then sparked into life, playing the ball forward to Facey, who turned Sylvain Distin, but the striker’s shot was easily blocked by the left boot of James.
But City began to take control and embarrassed the Tigers with a three-goal blitz. In the 35th minute Reyna dispossessed a Hull midfielder and Macken’s neat return pass put the American in to fire inside Duke’s near post with a left-footed drive.
Antoine Siberski released Wright-Phillips who crossed back for the French midfielder to head goalwards. His header was well saved but Fowler was on hand to convert first-time from close range.
City’s other international, Paul Bosvelt, then got in on the act. Fowler back-tracked to receive the ball before passing to Bosvelt, who unleashed a curling shot from 25 yards which bent inches inside Duke’s left-hand post. Duke then denied Macken with a diving save to the right corner, before Richard Dunne headed the corner inches wide.
The second-half stalled with each side making a number of substitutions but Macken should have scored after Reyna won the ball and squared it across goal but Macken’s effort was too close to the keeper.
The other bright point of the second period was the introduction of Bradley Wrigfht-Phillips. The young striker linked well with Robbie Fowler, who continued to work his socks off up front.
City: James; Sommeil, Distin, Dunne, Thatcher; S. Wright-Phillips,
Bosvelt, Reyna, Sibierski; Fowler, Macken.
Subs: Flood (for SWP at h-f); Barton, Negouai, Jordan, McCarthy,
BWP (all second half).
Attendance: 11,160.