Hull grab point at Blackburn

Hull City extended their impressive start to life in the Premier League by holding Blackburn to a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Blackburn striker Jason Roberts had given the home side the lead in the 38th minute, stabbing the ball past Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill after pulling free of his markers.

But Hull, playing in the top-flight for the first time in their 104-year history, equalised five minutes before the interval thanks to a looping header from Australian forward Richard Garcia.

Blackburn’s new manager Paul Ince had picked an unchanged starting eleven for his first Premier League match in charge at Ewood Park after leading his side to a surprise 3-2 victory at Everton last week.

Going into the game, Ince was boosted by Paraguyan striker Roque Santa Cruz’s decision to sign a new four-year contract with the club on Friday.

Hull made two changes from their opening day victory at home to Fulham, with Dean Marney and Craig Fagan replacing George Boateng and Nick Barmby, who dropped to the bench.

Rovers almost took the lead early on when a long-range shot from Morten Gamst Pedersen flew just past the post.

Hull wasted a great chance to go 1-0 ahead midway through the first half when Marney shot tamely wide when he should have crossed to an unmarked Fagan.

The home side broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when Steven Reid’s long pass found Roberts, who slotted the ball home.

Hull were level within two minutes after Garcia directed a header over Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson after a cross from Fagan.

Rovers began the second half with Brett Emerton starting in place of David Dunn, but the Australian international was unable to lead his side to victory.

Santa Cruz came close to regaining the lead for Rovers in the second half, but saw a shot blocked before heading just wide of the post.

Roberts threatened to double his and Blackburn’s goal tally in the 57th minute. The lively forward again found himself in space and, after cutting in on his favoured right foot, it took a superb block from ex-Tottenham defender Anthony Gardner to block the danger.

With ten minutes remaining and both sides seeking a winning goal, Roberts made way for South African forward Benni McCarthy and Hull’s Barmby replaced Garcia.

Those changes couldn’t spark a decisive breakthrough but both sides will be happy enough with four points from their first two matches.