Hull City put six past a hapless Charlton Athletic team in Jose Riga's first game in charge since his re-appointment on Thursday. 

Jose Riga's first game in his second spell in charge at Charlton was one to forget
Jose Riga's first game in his second spell in charge of Charlton was one to forget

Charlton have now conceded 11 goals in the last two Championship games and new boss Riga faces a mountainous challenge at the Valley.

Hull had a great afternoon and manager Steve Bruce has got his side motoring so far in 2016 - they have won all three games so far this month.

The Tigers are now within two points of leaders Middlesbrough who lost away to Bristol City on Saturday, although they do have a game in hand over the second place side.

Abel Hernandez got a first half hat-trick and Robert Snodgrass got the other as Hull lead 4-0 at half time. Mohamed Diame and Isaac Hayden put two more on the score sheet in the second half, and Hull could have hit double figures in a game that was in no way a contest at any point.

FootballLeagueWorld writer Anthony Yeo identifies three things that we learned from yesterday's one-sided encounter...

1) Charlton need a miracle

Eleven goals in two games, conceded 53 so far this season - defensively there are serious problems at Charlton. Add to that the meagre 21 goals for, and it makes pretty dismal reading for Addicks fans.

However, much worse than that is the manner of the two defeats.

Yes yesterday they played one of the best teams in the division, and were my tip for the title at the start of the season, but that still does not excuse the lack of spirit showed by the players.

They came into this game having lost 5-0 to Huddersfield Town and you would have expected a reaction, but there was no fight in the team.

This as a football fan would concern me more. Sometimes you get beat and by a lot of goals, but the effort is still there.

Charlton had none what so ever at the KC Stadium.

2) Abel Hernandez is Premier League quality

Hernandez is most definitely a top quality forward who could and should be playing top-flight football, as should Hull City.

Hernandez scored his 16th of the season in his first half hat-trick against the Addicks, and his movement and pace was too much for the struggling defence of Charlton, but many sides will and have struggled to contain this talented forward.

If Hull fail to go up, I'm not sure they will keep him in the summer.

3) Hull are title contenders

A few weeks ago, Hull City were down in fourth place and having a bit of a wobble yet now, since the turn of the year, they look like they have stepped up another gear and are showing their true quality.

They have won the last three games, have scored ten goals in those games, and have been very impressive.

With Middlesbrough dropping points along with Derby County, Hull have made the most of it by picking up the maximum points in all three games this year.

Hull and Charlton fans... Will Hull gain promotion? Can Charlton turn it around and stay up? Who should your team sign in January? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!