Slow start leaves Mancini blue

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini criticised the Hull City fans who subjected Wayne Bridge to a series of personal chants on his return.

The England left–back played his first match after two months out with a knee injury in the 2–1 defeat against the Tigers at the KC Stadium.

Bridge has found himself in an unwanted media spotlight following the revelations about an alleged affair between former Chelsea team–mate John Terry and his ex–partner, which has resulted in Terry being stripped of the England captaincy.

Mancini said: “I think sometimes we have to have respect for people. It was not good, in the first half, the people did not respect him.”

Hull flew from the start and dominated the first half. Jozy Altidore opened the scoring in the 31st minute with his first Premier League goal.

City struggled to create anything of note, with Bridge managing their first shot on target in first–half injury time, and the hosts were celebrating a two–goal lead nine minutes into the second period.

Veteran midfielder George Boateng let fly from 25 yards with a volley that rocketed past Shay Given and gave the Dutchman his first goal of the season.

Emmanuel Adebayor pulled one back five minutes later but the expected City onslaught never really materialised. Hull were left to celebrate a victory that lifted them out of the relegation zone and into 14th place.