Pressure is mounting on the Southampton board after Tonda Eckert's first defeat at St Mary's since taking the top job. Today's defeat made it seven Championship matches without a win and the Southampton faithful have seen enough.
Hull capitalised on two defensive errors. The first, a loose pass by Ryan Manning, put Oli McBurnie through on goal. McBurnie prodded the ball back into the path of Kyle Joseph, who picked his spot and lashed the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net.
Just after the half-hour mark, Hull extended their lead. A deep corner should have been dealt with by Nathan Wood, but he was out-fought and outmanoeuvred by Charlie Hughes. With Daniel Peretz caught in nomansland, Hughes gratefully headed the ball past the stranded Israeli keeper on debut.
Earlier, Southampton had a good chance to open the scoring, but Caspar Jander and Finn Azaz combined to get in each other's way, resulting in Azaz's tame effort hitting the side netting.
The Southampton fans in the Northam End let the board know exactly how they were feeling, and with chants of “sack the board“ ringing out from the home end, Saints were in grave danger of imploding.
Half-Time: Southampton 0-2 Hull City
Joshua Quarshie was sacrificed at half-time as Saints switched to a back four. Hull were happy to maintain a low block and kept their discipline well to block the passing lanes and frustrate the home side.
Finn Azaz found it difficult to get on the ball. Adam Armstrong cut a frustrated figure as he chased lost causes and ran into what few gaps Hull's defence left for him.
Southampton's goal when it came was the result of a devilish inswinging cross from Léo Scienza being met by Ross Stewart from close range.
But that was as good as it got for the Saints, who continued to huff and puff but created very little.
Full-Time: Southampton 1-2 Hull City
Goalkeeper and Defenders
Daniel Peretz (GK) - 6/10 - Made a smart save early on to keep the scores level at 0-0, but really should have done better with Hull's second goal. Looked decent enough with the ball at his feet and is clearly an upgrade on Gavin Bazunu.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (RCB) - 7/10 - One of only a few Saints players to come out of today's match with any credit. Made good passes forward and dealt with aerial threats.
Nathan Wood (CB) - 5/10 - Another poor defensive error probably cost his team a point today. For such a strong defender to be out-muscled at the back post was weak. Looked more comfortable in a back three than a back four.
Joshua Quarshie (LCB) - 6/10 - Unfortunate to be withdrawn at half-time in a tactical switch.
Midfielders
Tom Fellows (RM) - 6/10 - Withdrawn too early in the game with Southampton pushing for an equaliser. Got his team out of trouble from deep in his own half on numerous occasions. Being poorly managed by the coach.
Flynn Downes (CM) - 6/10 - Downes seems unable to turn and pass the ball forward. Although he is an important player out of possession, he doesn't do enough on the ball to warrant inclusion in the side.
Caspar Jander (CM) - 6/10 - A slightly below par performance from Jander, who found it hard to find space in a packed midfield.
Ryan Manning (LM) - 5/10 - Cost his team the first goal with a stray pass meant for Joshua Quarshie. Tried to atone as the game went on, but his efforts on goal were wayward when better options were available.
Forwards
Léo Scienza (LF) - 8/10 - Once again, Scienza was Southampton's best player. But, he can't win matches on his own. Scienza tormented the Hull defence for 90 minutes, and it was no surprise when his wicked inswinging cross was stabbed home from close range by Stewart.
Adam Armstrong (CF) - 6/10 - Goals have dried up, and so have good chances. One shot on target was all that the club's top scorer could manage against a defensively minded Hull side.
Finn Azaz (RF) - 5/10 - Quickly becoming a shadow of his recent self. Another poor game today.
Substitutes
Elias Jelert - 6
Jay Robinson - 7
Ross Stewart - 7
Kuryu Matsuki - 6
Cameron Archer - N/A