Nigerian international, Sone Aluko, failed to discover his scoring form as Hull City enjoyed an encouraging warm-up to the new Premier League season with an impressive 2-1 victory away to VfB Stuttgart on Sunday.
Aluko, who landed the Tigers in the Europa League with a stunner against Trencin three days earlier, was a second half substitute as he replaced Nikica Jelavic in the 61st minute of the encounter.
Aluko got in behind the Stuttgart defence to cross for the advanced Paul McShane but even when given two bites of the cherry, he could not beat defender Antonio Rudiger and keeper Ulreich from close range.
Meanwhile, goals from midfielder David Meyler and summer signing Andy Robertson effectively sealed a morale-boosting win inside the opening stages at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Vedad Ibisevic responded for Stuttgart before the break but Steve Bruce’s men held out confidently to end their pre-season on a high.
The only concern for City was that a host of chances were missed to make the score-line more emphatic but with the Premier League season beginning at QPR in six days, the polished performance was undeniably a timely boost.
City had to defend resolutely through the closing stages of the game to ensure victory was protected but the last chance went to Robert Snodgrass, who shot horribly wide.