Manchester City produced a brilliant attacking display to thrash Hull City 5-1 in their Boxing Day fixture at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Two goals each from Felipe Caicedo and Robinho saw Man City take a 4-0 lead by half time, prompting Hull manager Phil Brown to keep his players on the pitch during the break. The move seemed to work as Hull reduced the lead through Craig Fagan but Stephen Ireland restored Man City's four goal advantage to remove some pressure off manager Mark Hughes.

Ireland had a brilliant game and was the provider for the first goal as he latched on to Robinho's pass before squaring the ball for Caicedo to put the hosts in the lead by the 15th minute. The match was all but over in a seven minute period midway through the first half as Man City scored three goals to open a four goal lead by half time.

Ireland latched on to a loose clearance by Ian Ashbee and passed the ball for Caicedo to score his second goal of the match in the 27th minute. Robinho scored a third for the hosts a minute later before adding another in the 36th minute.

Phil Brown's words during half time seemed to have had some effect on Hull as the visitors put up a better fight in the second half. Hull pulled one back in the 80th minute through Fagan but Ireland grabbed a deserved goal two minutes later to ensure that the hosts ended the match on a high note.