FA Cup Replay- Hull City 0-4 Arsenal: Player Ratings
Holders Arsenal progressed into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the third straight season as they beat hosts Hull City by four goals at the KC Stadium in the fifth round replay. After playing out a goalless draw at the Emirates, Arsenal were forced to play a replay at Hull, and they did so with ease as a brace each for Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott was enough to continue their defence of the Cup.
Here is how the players from both sides fared:
Hull City
Eldin Jakupovic – 7
He was the real hero for his team in the first tie but could not come to the rescue in this game as three of the four goals were unavoidable from his aspect. He was not helped by deflections in two goals, but could have done better for the last goal as Walcott beat him to the near post. His handling was good and he looks like one of the bright positives for Hull.
Curtis Davies – 6
He was strong at the back throughout the first half and made some crunching tackles and interceptions to deny the Arsenal attackers. But he could not stop the crosses in the second half, which subsequently resulted in goals for the Gunners.
Alex Bruce – 6
The manager’s son was fairly consistent throughout the game. He seemed like a good focal point when it came to Hull attacking from set-plays, but at the back, he struggled with the presence of Giroud as the game progressed. He deflected Walcott’s effort into goal for Arsenal’s fourth.
Tom Huddlestone – 5
The former Spurs player did not have a good game, despite being voted as Hull’s man of the match. He was missing in midfield in the second half, and given Arsenal’s inexperienced midfield, he should have done better. He failed to influence the game for the hosts.
Mohamed Diame – 6
Diame was strong when it came to defending in front of his back four. But known for his box-to-box play, he was not very active whenever Hull City got forward. In a game that was dominated by injuries, the midfielder could have taken the responsibility and cemented his place in the side with a strong performance.
Ahmed El Mohamady – 6
He was playing as a right-back for the hosts and did not have much to do with Walcott in poor form in the first hour of the game. But he was not present wholly to deny Walcott chances later in the game, when he managed to score. He coped up well with the likes of Iwobi and Campbell too.
David Meyler – 4
Sadly for the Hull captain, it was not the best game he has featured in. He was in the mix throughout he was present on the pitch. He got Ospina to make a good save in the first half but also gifted Giroud with a back-pass that was not on given how many Arsenal players were present in the box.
Harry Maguire – 6
He was responsible for deflecting Walcott’s cross for Giroud to score his second of the game. He gave away silly free-kicks at the edge of the box and also involved in a rash challenge on Walcott, resulting in earning himself a yellow card.
Moses Odubajo – 7
He was probably the best outfield player for Hull on the day. He got forward on many occasions and brought life to Hull’s attacks. But as he went forward, he left a gap at the back, which was exploited by the Gunners in the second half. He was taken off and replaced by Andrew Robertson.
Nick Powell – 5
He was involved in a clash of heads incident with Mertesacker, after which he was able to carry on. His best chance of the game came when he pounced on Meyler’s effort but was adjudged offside. He was good in the free-kicks, and could have had a goal, but made the wrong choices when passing the ball.
Adama Diomande – 5
He was good in his hold-up plays but could not really create chances for his team. Adding to that, he did not get any support from the midfield when he had the ball at his feet. He had a difficult night on the field.
Substitutes
Sone Aluko – 7
He was a good player to bring on, as he initiated some positive plays going forward.
Andrew Robertson – NA
He was introduced in the last ten minutes of the game and could only make a couple of runs, only to be denied by the Arsenal defenders.
Ryan Taylor – NA
He also came on in the final few minutes and could not make any impact.