Aaron Connolly felled in shuddering collision as Hull lose to Norwich

Aaron Connolly went off injured following a shuddering collision with opposing goalkeeper Angus Gunn as Hull City were beaten 2-1 at home by Norwich City.

Jon Rowe and Christian Fassnacht lifted Norwich to their first win of 2024 as the hosts missed a chance to move into the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

Fassnacht came off the bench to net in the 88th minute and while Tyler Morton pulled one back in added-on time, Norwich held on for the final few moments to record a 2-1 win – their first in five matches.

The Canaries now sit just one point and place behind seventh-placed Hull, who only really sprang into action in the final half hour at the MKM Stadium.

Though his night only lasted 15 minutes, Connolly was subject to two bruising challenges, the first coming courtesy of his international teammate Shane Duffy where the Irish centre-half was fortunate to avoid a booking after clattering into the Hull attacker.

Shortly afterwards, Connolly's night was brought to an end after he was knocked to the ground in a sickening challenge with Norwich keeper Angus Gunn.

Chasing after a high, looping ball, an unprepared Connolly was caught flush in the face by the arm of the charging Gunn, who headed the ball clear as the Galway man hit the ground with a ferocious dunt. Surprinsingly, the referee awarded the free to the Norwich keeper, reasoning that he had won the race to head the ball.

Connolly, who has enjoyed something of a rennaissance this season with eight league goals, was accompanied off the pitch soon after by the Hull medical team.