Bullard condemns City to another draw

Jimmy Bullard drove home an 81st-minute penalty to condemn Manchester City to a seventh successive draw at Eastlands following the 1-1 result.

Shaun Wright-Phillips' first-half effort seemed to have secured victory for the hosts to end their unhappy streak.

But a controversial spot-kick provided the perfect opportunity for Bullard to strike. And he did not let his team down.

In a drab first half that City dominated but created little, the returning Robinho was one of the few shining lights. Am impish curling shot from the edge of the area brought the crowd to its feet as it fizzed wide and a well-executed overhead kick was not that far away.

Robinho also played a significant role in the Blues goal, although it was only as a by-product of being chopped down in his own half by Paul McShane. Referee Lee Probert deserves plenty of credit for the way he did his job, applying an advantage City took maximum advantage of.

In ferrying the ball quickly up field, the Blues finally gave themselves a chance to run at the Hull defence. Shaun Wright-Phillips eventually found himself with the ball at his feet, letting fly from 20 yards.

Hull goalkeeper Matt Duke appeared to have it covered but as he set himself to make a routine save, Anthony Gardner tried to head the ball and succeeded only in sending it into the bottom corner.

Hull threatened rarely, Richard Garcia lifting a shot over Shay Given but City defender Joleon Lescott had spotted the danger and cleared the ball off the line.

It was the nearest Hull got to a leveller until Probert made his controversial call, either Kolo Toure penalised for the softest of fouls on Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink or Lescott pulled up for what would have been a very harsh handball.

It left Bullard to cheekily repeat manager Phil Brown's controversial half-time team-talk of last season at Eastlands as his goal celebration.