Southampton extended their lead at the top of the Championship to five points with victory at Hull.

Jack Hobbs directed a Danny Fox cross into his own net to give Saints the lead before Jos Hooiveld made sure of the points with a close-range finish.

Nigel Adkins' side have now gone 11 games unbeaten in the league.

And, with second-placed Reading losing and third-placed West Ham United only drawing at home, it means Saints' grip on the division is strengthened.

However, the south coast club did not have it entirely their own way against a Hull side who came into the match on an 11-game unbeaten run of their own.

The Tigers created enough chances to get something from the game but ultimately paid the price for a poor start.

Manchester United loanee Josh King hit the crossbar for the home side with a well-struck half-volley in the 25th minute, Hobbs headed wide from a corner later in the first half and Robbie Brady somehow blazed over when it looked easier to score from a nicely-weighted King cross.

By this point, though, Hobbs had already put the ball into his own net to give the visitors the lead following a period of early pressure that saw Vito Mannone save a Rickie Lambert header and Adam Lallana miss a great chance after rounding the Hull keeper.

Southampton seized full control near the hour mark when Jose Fonte found himself in an unusually attacking position on the right flank to deliver a cross that defensive partner Hooiveld converted from close range.

The home side rallied in the final 10 minutes but visiting keeper Kelvin Davis producing a string of excellent saves to deny King, Tom Cairney and Cameron Stewart as Southampton did enough to hold out for the three points.

Hull City manager Nick Barmby: "We got beaten by a good side tonight. All credit to them and that is why they are top of the league.

"For the last 15 minutes of the first half, we were the better team and if we had scored then maybe the result would have been different.

"Maybe we would have gone on and the first half ended too soon, really. In the second half we tried to create chances, which I am really pleased with the team about because of their bravery. They kept going, kept trying to do the right things, got on the ball.

"I expect that of them and all credit to Southampton. We got beaten by a good team."

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins: "It was a very pleasing win away from home.

"We know Nick Barmby has done a really good job up here at Hull and it's always a challenging place to come to.

"They don't concede many goals and I thought we applied ourselves very well. I thought we started very, very well and then we put in a very good defensive performance."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Hull

  • 28 Mannone
  • 02 Rosenior
  • 03 Dawson
  • 05 Chester
  • 06 Hobbs
  • 04 McKenna (Evans - 63' )
  • 10 Koren (Mclean - 46' )
  • 14 Cairney
  • 12 Fryatt
  • 17 Brady (Stewart - 70' )
  • 27 King

Substitutes

  • 24 Gulacsi
  • 19 Dudgeon
  • 07 Stewart
  • 08 Evans
  • 09 Mclean

Southampton

  • 01 Davis
  • 02 Richardson
  • 06 Fonte
  • 13 Fox (Harding - 77' )
  • 26 Hooiveld
  • 04 Schneiderlin
  • 08 Cork
  • 10 Guly (De Ridder - 50' Booked )
  • 20 Lallana
  • 42 Puncheon (Hammond - 62' )
  • 07 Lambert

Substitutes

  • 03 Harding
  • 16 Martin
  • 14 Hammond
  • 33 De Ridder
  • 11 Sharp
Ref: Webb
Att: 18,066

Match Stats

Shots

13 7

On target

6 4

Corners

8 0

Fouls

7 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:02 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +2:48

Aaron Mclean fouled by Jos Hooiveld, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Liam Rosenior.

90:00 +1:40

Corry Evans concedes a free kick for a foul on Jack Cork. Jos Hooiveld restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +0:34

The ball is sent over by Joshua King, Matt Fryatt has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the goal.

89:58

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Cameron Stewart played to the near post, clearance by Jose Fonte.

86:07

Cameron Stewart takes a shot. Save by Kelvin Davis.

84:40

The ball is delivered by Dean Hammond, save made by Vito Mannone.

83:26

The official flags Aaron Mclean offside. Indirect free kick taken by Kelvin Davis.

82:24

Unfair challenge on Andy Dawson by Steve De Ridder results in a free kick. Free kick crossed by Cameron Stewart, save by Kelvin Davis.

81:53

The ball is delivered by Liam Rosenior, clearance by Jose Fonte.

80:13

Andy Dawson crosses the ball, Joshua King takes a shot from 12 yards. Save by Kelvin Davis. Corner taken left-footed by Andy Dawson, clearance made by Jos Hooiveld. Tom Cairney produces a volleyed left-footed shot from 30 yards. Save by Kelvin Davis. Corner taken by Andy Dawson from the right by-line, Steve De Ridder makes a clearance.

78:39

Adam Lallana is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Vito Mannone restarts play with the free kick.

78:07

Free kick awarded for a foul by Joshua King on Dan Harding. Indirect free kick taken by Kelvin Davis.

77:57

Matt Fryatt delivers the ball, Jos Hooiveld manages to make a clearance.

77:25

Free kick awarded for a foul by Richard Lambert on James Chester. Indirect free kick taken by James Chester.

76:42 Substitution

Substitution Dan Harding replaces Daniel Fox.

75:53

The ball is crossed by Liam Rosenior, Jose Fonte makes a clearance.

74:14

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Andy Dawson from the right by-line, Jose Fonte manages to make a clearance.

73:12

Andy Dawson sends in a cross, clearance by Jos Hooiveld.

69:40 Substitution

Substitution Cameron Stewart replaces Robbie Brady.

68:42

Robbie Brady challenges Morgan Schneiderlin unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Jos Hooiveld.

68:02

Centre by Liam Rosenior, save made by Kelvin Davis.

67:45

Centre by Liam Rosenior, Jos Hooiveld manages to make a clearance.

65:56

The ball is sent over by Dean Hammond, James Chester makes a clearance.

64:58

Aaron Mclean is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Kelvin Davis.

64:16

Dean Hammond is ruled offside. Jack Hobbs takes the free kick.

62:44 Substitution

Substitution Paul McKenna leaves the field to be replaced by Corry Evans.

61:20

Adam Lallana delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, clearance made by Jack Hobbs.

61:20 Substitution

Substitution Dean Hammond is brought on as a substitute for Jason Puncheon.

61:20

Andy Dawson concedes a free kick for a foul on Steve De Ridder.

60:53

The official flags Richard Lambert offside. Vito Mannone takes the free kick.

59:38

The official flags Richard Lambert offside. Jack Hobbs restarts play with the free kick.

58:34

Assist by Frazer Richardson.

58:34 Goal scored

Goal - Jos Hooiveld - Hull 0 - 2 Southamp'n Jos Hooiveld scores a goal from close range to the top left corner of the goal. Hull 0-2 Southampton.

58:32

The ball is sent over by Frazer Richardson,

57:36

Paul McKenna concedes a free kick for a foul on Adam Lallana. Direct free kick taken by Daniel Fox.

55:21

Morgan Schneiderlin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Joshua King. Free kick crossed by Andy Dawson, Jos Hooiveld manages to make a clearance.

54:41

Richard Lambert gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andy Dawson. Tom Cairney takes the free kick.

53:16

Steve De Ridder delivers the ball, Jack Hobbs manages to make a clearance.

53:04

Steve De Ridder delivers the ball, Jack Hobbs makes a clearance.

51:21

The free kick is delivered left-footed by Robbie Brady from right channel, Jose Fonte manages to make a clearance.

51:21 Booking

Booking Steve De Ridder is given a yellow card.

50:48

Free kick awarded for a foul by Steve De Ridder on Andy Dawson.

50:42

Centre by Andy Dawson, clearance made by Jose Fonte.

49:41 Substitution

Substitution Steve De Ridder replaces Guly Do Prado.

49:05

The ball is delivered by Joshua King, Jason Puncheon makes a clearance.

46:05

Morgan Schneiderlin takes a shot. Vito Mannone makes a save.

45:45

The assistant referee signals for offside against Aaron Mclean. Free kick taken by Kelvin Davis.

45:01

The referee gets the second half underway.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Aaron Mclean comes on in place of Robert Koren.

45:00 +1:23 Half time

Half Time The referee calls an end to the first half.

45:00 +1:07

The ball is delivered by Robbie Brady, Robert Koren takes a shot. Blocked by Jos Hooiveld.

42:39

Andy Dawson crosses the ball, Robert Koren takes a shot. Blocked by Jose Fonte. Andy Dawson takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Guly Do Prado.

40:03

Jack Cork concedes a free kick for a foul on Liam Rosenior. Robert Koren restarts play with the free kick.

38:33

Robert Koren delivers the ball, clearance made by Jos Hooiveld.

35:30

Jason Puncheon produces a left-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses wide left of the target.

34:47

The ball is sent over by Joshua King, Robbie Brady produces a left-footed shot from close in that clears the bar.

33:43

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jack Cork on Liam Rosenior. Liam Rosenior restarts play with the free kick.

32:41

The offside flag is raised against Guly Do Prado. Vito Mannone restarts play with the free kick.

31:52

Adam Lallana fouled by Robert Koren, the ref awards a free kick. Daniel Fox takes the direct free kick.

30:31

Tom Cairney fouled by Jason Puncheon, the ref awards a free kick. Vito Mannone restarts play with the free kick.

28:10

Corner taken right-footed by Robert Koren, Jack Hobbs produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

27:19

Centre by Robbie Brady, Jack Cork makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken by Andy Dawson from the right by-line, clearance made by Jose Fonte.

24:45

Andy Dawson crosses the ball. Joshua King takes a shot.

23:16

Free kick awarded for a foul by Daniel Fox on Joshua King. Free kick crossed left-footed by Andy Dawson from right wing, clearance by Guly Do Prado.

22:31

Guly Do Prado produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the left of the goal.

19:45

Shot from just outside the area by Robert Koren goes over the bar.

19:20

The official flags Richard Lambert offside. Free kick taken by Jack Hobbs.

18:35

The ball is delivered by Robbie Brady, Jose Fonte manages to make a clearance.

17:40

Liam Rosenior challenges Jack Cork unfairly and gives away a free kick. Daniel Fox restarts play with the free kick.

16:59

Robbie Brady sends in a cross, Shot on goal by Joshua King from just inside the area goes over the target.

15:26

Shot from deep inside the area by Jack Cork clears the crossbar.

14:49

Unfair challenge on Paul McKenna by Guly Do Prado results in a free kick. Paul McKenna takes the free kick.

13:30

Adam Lallana provided the assist for the goal.

13:30 Goal scored

Goal - Jack Hobbs - Hull 0 - 1 Southamp'n An own goal is scored by Jack Hobbs. Hull 0-1 Southampton.

13:04

The ball is sent over by Richard Lambert.

11:50

The ball is delivered by Frazer Richardson.

10:46

Joshua King takes a shot. Save made by Kelvin Davis. Paul McKenna produces a cross, Header by Robbie Brady from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

9:45

Jack Cork takes a shot. Save made by Vito Mannone.

8:57

The ball is sent over by Robbie Brady.

8:37

Jason Puncheon delivers the ball, Liam Rosenior manages to make a clearance.

7:42

Jason Puncheon crosses the ball, Richard Lambert takes a shot. Save made by Vito Mannone.

3:50

Joshua King delivers the ball, blocked by Daniel Fox. Inswinging corner taken by Andy Dawson from the right by-line, Jos Hooiveld makes a clearance.

2:44

The offside flag is raised against Jason Puncheon. Free kick taken by James Chester.

0:17

The referee blows for offside. Jack Hobbs restarts play with the free kick.

0:00

The referee starts the match.

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