Manchester City 1 - 1 Hull City

Joker Bullard holds City to draw

Updated: November 28, 2009, 8:10 AM UK

Joker Jimmy Bullard performed a repeat of Phil Brown's controversial half-time team-talk - but after rescuing a point for Hull on their return to Manchester City.

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• Brown applauds jester Bullard

Brown's amazing decision has been cited by many as the moment the Tigers fortunes began to nosedive last season. Yet Bullard could not stop himself having a laugh at his manager's expense after his 81st minute equaliser from a spot-kick Mark Hughes is sure to feel aggrieved by.

From virtually the exact spot where Brown delivered his address, the former Wigan star pointed to all his team-mates in turn to give the gleeful Hull fans a repeat performance.

As well as maintaining Hull's recent revival, it condemned City to a seventh successive Premier League draw. Yet again the Blues tossed away a winning position and, in front of chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak, the hosts were booed off amid growing concern at what is becoming a mid-table position despite a summer outlay of £120 million by the City manager.

Hughes' post-match analysis will centre around referee Lee Probert, who left Kolo Toure still shaking his head after the final whistle after spotting what could have been a foul by the African on Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink or a handball by Joleon Lescott, both of which would have been pretty harsh.

Not even the return of Robinho could trigger a victory, although admittedly City were in front when the Brazilian departed 15 minutes from the end of his comeback game.

On a very chilly day, on the weekend when el clasico will capture the attention of world football at the Nou Camp, Robinho could have been forgiven for wishing Hull were not the opponents he would be facing.

The three months since his last appearance in a Manchester City shirt have been filled with endless speculation about a possible move to Barcelona in January. It seems like a perfectly plausible scenario for a man who was not entirely sure he would be joining the Blues on transfer deadline day last year.

However, having invested a British record £32.5 million on the Brazilian, Hughes is in no mood to release him quite so easily and wants some evidence of commitment from the player as well. The most obvious way of achieving that is by performances on the pitch.

And, in a drab first half that City dominated but created little, Robinho was one of the few shining lights. An 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 when the former Real Madrid star next had a sight of goal.

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.

At a time when referees seem to be being berated at every turn, 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. Wright-Phillips eventually found himself with the ball at his feet, letting fly from 20 yards.

Hull keeper 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.

It was harsh on Hull, who had defended stoutly even if they had been pretty non-existent as an attacking force. All that changed within a minute of the restart as City's defence fell asleep in a manner that must have alarmed Hughes.

There was little obvious danger in a ball that was bouncing about just outside the City box. But one simple pass from Jozy Altidore provided Richard Garcia with a clear sight of goal.

Garcia calmly lifted his shot over Shay Given but thankfully for the Blues, Lescott had spotted the danger and cleared off the line.

It was the nearest Hull got to a leveller until Probert made his controversial call. And Bullard definitely had the last laugh.

Brown applauds jester Bullard

Hull boss Phil Brown hailed Jimmy Bullard's replica reading of the riot act as a moment of comic timing.

"It was a fantastic celebration,'' said Brown. "Great comedy is about timing. You could not have had a celebration like that, after a goal, unless it was at Eastlands and was in the goal in front of the Hull fans.

"The whole thing was timed to perfection. I had no idea it was going to happen. I was trying to arrange a five-man midfield at the time so I didn't see it. But my analysis guy showed me it on the laptop when we got into the changing room. I couldn't deliver my address because I was laughing so much.

"I have had nothing but support from the changing room. A change of chairman always causes problems in terms of which direction the club is going in and what is round the corner.

"Change in football causes anxiety. But the response of the players is why I am still sat here as Hull City manager.''

Mark Hughes said of the penalty: "My initial reaction was that it was for handball against Joleon Lescott but it certainly wasn't because it didn't touch him, other than just grazing the top of his thigh. Now the referee is saying he gave it for the challenge in the box.

"I would debate that as well. It was just a coming together. In my opinion the penalty should not have been given.

"There is pressure to get results, any manager will tell you that. But we are still in the mix at the top end of the league. At times we look what we are, a team that has come together very quickly. At others we look strong and established.

"There is a process to go through and I believe the owners understand that concept as well. What we have to do is keep picking up points. We are doing that and it is only a matter of time before we start winning again.''