Xherdan Shaqiri nets brace as Stoke City beat Hull City

Xherdan Shaqiri netted a brace for Stoke City as Mark Hughes's side recorded a 2-0 win over Hull City in Saturday afternoon's Premier League clash at the KCOM Stadium.

Shaqiri netted once in either half of what was a comfortable 90 minutes for the visitors, who have risen into 14th position in the table, while Hull remain rooted inside the bottom three.

It was Stoke that made the brighter start to proceedings and after a couple of half-chances, the Potters made the breakthrough in the 26th minute when Shaqiri gave Hull goalkeeper David Marshall the eyes before whipping an effort into the top corner of the net.

The visitors almost had their second three minutes later when Marko Arnautovic made contact on a cross from the right, but Marshall was on hand to make a smart save.

Stoke found their second in the 50th minute, however, when Shaqiri, who was excellent all afternoon, bent a free kick into the top corner to compound what was another miserable afternoon for Hull.

Abel Hernandez, who was to have a goal disallowed for offside late on, had a chance to halve the deficit on the hour, but the striker missed the post from close range, before Joe Allen passed up an opportunity to make it 3-0 to the visitors 15 minutes from time.

Hull have now lost their last five in the league to remain in 18th position, while Stoke have extended their unbeaten run to four matches ahead of their next match at home to struggling Swansea City on August 31.