LONDON - Hull City and Manchester City both ended their three-match league losing streaks on Sunday as they fought out an open and entertaining 2-2 draw at the KC Stadium.
City keeper out for a month
HULL - MANCHESTER City goalkeeper Joe Hart will miss England's friendly against Germany after being ruled out for a month with an ankle injury suffered in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Hull.
Blackburn's Paul Robinson was later called into the squad though the former Tottenham keeper has not played for England since the 2-1 European Championship qualifier defeat to Russia in October last year in Moscow.
Hull's flying start to their first top-flight season has been built largely on their away form as at home they had lost three and drawn one of their previous six matches and they struggled to get on top of a lively City side in the early stages.
However, they were gifted the lead after 14 minutes when Manchester City defender Tal Ben Haim mishit a backpass to allow Daniel Cousins to nip in and score.
City keeper Joe Hart injured his foot in the incident and had to go off and looks likely to miss England's midweek friendly in Germany.
Hull then returned the compliment when Kamil Zayatte, under no real pressure in his own box, prodded the ball straight to Stephen Ireland for the equaliser after 37 minutes.
City then took control and there was nothing fortunate about Ireland's second goal and he curled in a lovely 20m shot just before halftime.
Hull levelled with a deflected Geovanni free kick after an hour to set up an exciting finale, though neither side was able to finish off a number of half-chances.
In the day's other Premier League match Everton and Middlesbrough drew 1-1 at Goodison Park to extend both teams' unbeaten run to five games.
In Saturday's action Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all collected impressive victories but Arsenal's struggles continued with another home defeat - 2-0 at the hands of Aston Villa.
Chelsea won 3-0 at bottom club West Bromwich Albion, Liverpool beat Bolton Wanderers 2-0 away while Manchester United thumped Stoke City 5-0.
Chelsea and Liverpool have 32 points, with the Londoners top on goal difference. Manchester United are third on 24 with a game in hand while Arsenal and Villa both have 23.
Hull are sixth on 21 on with Everton seventh on 19 and Middlesbrough up to eighth on 18. -- REUTERS
