Hull City 2, Huddersfield Town 1

Jan 3 2005 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Man of the Match: NATHAN CLARKE

IT might seem a strange choice after Town's defending came in for criticism, but the 21-year-old centre-back again looked a class act, dealing calmly and confidently with everything Hull hurled at him and even testing goalkeeper Boz Myhill with a second-half shot.

How they rated:

Paul Rachubka Questions could be asked over the first Hull goal of a player harshly booed by home fans who blame him for popular striker Ben Burgess's long-term injury. Rating: 6/10.

Andy Holdsworth Did a decent marking job on Stuart Elliott, but the one time he lost him, it proved costly. Rating: 7/10.

Anthony Lloyd Back in the side at left-back because of David Mirfin's injury, he looked nervy early on, and never totally comfortable. Rating: 6/10.

Nathan Clarke Another classy show from Town's most consistent central defender. Rating:7/10.

Efe Sodje Not as steady as he had been at Bournemouth and lost Aaron Wilbraham when the Hull man headed the winner. Rating: 6/10.

Tony Carss Looked good when Town were on top but less influential in the second half after the Tigers took the lead. Rating:7/10.

Jon Worthington Always a willing worker despite taking a knock in the first half which finally forced him off with 10 minute to go. Rating: 7/10.

John McAliskey Not as sharp as in the previous two games but deserves praise for the unselfish lay-off which set up Chris Brandon. Rating:7/10.

Danny Schofield Worked hard to close Hull down and was lively during Town's best spell of the game in the first half. Rating: 7/10.

Pawel Abbott Started well but faded as the game wore on. Looks in need of a goal to restore some zip to his performances. Rating: 6/10.

Chris Brandon A useful all-round contribution was capped by a well-taken fourth goal of the term. But booked for the second game in a row. Rating: 7/10.

Town substitutes: Mendes for Schofield 76mins, Fowler for Worthington 80mins. Not used: Brown, Sodje (A), Senior.

HULL CITY: Myhill, Angus, Cort, Delaney, Dawson, Green (Price, 85mins), Walters (Wilbraham, HT), Elliott (Lewis, 89mins), Keane, Facey, Ashbee. Subs not used: Allsopp, Duke.