Bolton Wanderers succumbed to a heavy defeat at the KCOM Stadium after Hull City netted six goals without reply.
Goals from Kamil Grosicki (2), Chris Martin, Jarrod Bowen, Evandro and Nouha Dicko ensured it was a day to forget on the east coast.
Team News
Phil Parkinson made just the one change from the side that drew against Stoke City at the weekend. Gary O’Neil, who scored the Boxing Day winner against Rotherham United, returned to the starting XI at the expense of on loan Joe Williams.
First Half
An acrobatic overhead kick from Clayton Donaldson after six minutes brought about the game’s first chance.
A ball into the box from O’Neil’s free-kick found the head of Mark Beevers who teed up the big frontman, but his effort went wide of David Marshall’s goal.
Possession was evenly split during the first 20 minutes with the Wanderers defence doing a grand job whenever Hull ventured into the box.
Ben Alnwick was pressed into action for the first time when he got down low to save a strike from Jarrod Bowen who broke into the box after some patient build up play.
A loose pass from Donaldson found its way to Evandro whose powerful drive was defelcted for a corner.
From the resulting kick, Chris Martin saw a close range effort rebound off a Wanderers player for another corner kick.
The hosts were stepping up the pressure and took the lead through Kami Grosicki who drilled the ball into the roof of the net from close range after Wanderers were unable to clear a throw-in from the right hand side.
Wanderers earned a free-kick after Kingsley brought down Donaldson who threatened to charge on goal.
From the resulting set-piece, taken by O’Neil, Beevers headed wide.
Moments later and Donaldson had a glorious chance to equalise for the visitors. Grounds ran to the by-line after receiving the ball from Ameobi on the left and put it in the path of the big striker who placed the ball wide with only Marshall to beat.
Second Half
Erhun Oztumer replaced Marc Wilson for the start of the second half as Wanderers aimed to find their way back into the game.
Hull hadn’t lost any of their attacking impetus and were themselves looking to increase their lead.
The dangerous Grosicki went close with a 25 yard free kick that just dipped over the cross bar after Vela was harshly penalised.
A lovely ball from Oztumer almost put O’Neil in with a chance but the midfielder wasn’t able to connect despite his valiant attempt.
The hosts doubled their advantage through Evandro who curled his right-footed effort past Alnwick after he burst into the box just after the hour mark.
Less than a minute later and two became three after Grosicki was allowed to run and guide his strike beyond Alnwick from 20 yards.
Parkinson immediately made another change by bringing on Craig Noone for Donaldson.
The hosts hit a fourth through Chris Martin who converted an easy chance from close range.
Hull were on fire and only the foot of Alnwick prevented Grosicki from getting his hat-trick.
A chance of a consolation goal for Wanderers was wasted when Noone’s 20 yard free kick went high over Marshall’s cross bar.
Meanwhile, at the other end, Alnwick’s cross bar prevented Martin getting his second and Hull’s fifth after he latched on to a superb pass from Grosicki. A goalmouth scramble ensued and the hands of Alnwick and the head of Beevers prevented another goal from being scored.
The fifth soon came after Vela lost possession deep in his own half with Bowen getting hold of the ball and powering past Alnwick who had no chance.
Bowen headed over from close range after another pinpoint cross from Grosicki reached him.
Substitute Nouha Dicko then headed home a sixth from close range to cap off a difficult afternoon for the Whites.
Full Time
Bolton Wanderers: Alnwick, Lowe, Grounds, Vela, Beevers, Wheater (C), Wilson (Oztumer HT), Donaldson (Noone 64), Doidge, Ameobi, (Olkowski 82) O’Neil
Subs Not Used: Matthews, Hobbs, Murphy, Magennis