The Tigers were 2-0 winners to end a two-game losing MKM Stadium run
Striker Oli McBurnie stepped off the bench to score on his return in a dominant 2-0 home victory over Wrexham, to move Hull City back into the Championship play-off zone.
City were off and running after 10 minutes when Mo Belloumi’s terrific run fashioned an opening for Matt Crooks, but his shot was saved and into the path of Kyle Joseph to fire in the net.
Kieffer Moore should have levelled shortly after but somehow dragged wide after being presented with the ball inside the box by Lewie Coyle.
Chances continued to come and go for the Tigers before Oli McBurnie stepped off the bench to score on his return from injury and double City’s lead with just over 20 minutes to go, from Ryan Giles’ cross.
Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at the MKM Stadium on Wednesday evening…
Ivor Pandur: Didn’t have a huge amount to do in the first half, bar giving away a cheap kick straight to the opposition. The key moment was the penalty save to deny Moore, and it was a big one at that. 8/10
Ryan Giles: Dealt well with the threats for the most part early on, perhaps let himself down with a couple of poor corners. Created a wonderful chance early in the second. Fashioned the second for McBurnie with a trademark ball in. 7.5/10
Charlie Hughes: Looked solid enough in a fairly quiet first period and that continued in the second. Made a couple of big challenges and deserved the clean sheet. 7.5/10
Semi Ajayi: One moment of panic, which he rescued himself from in the opening period. Grew into the game and was dominant thereafter. 7.5/10
Lewie Coyle: Registered City’s first attempt when he shot over within a couple of minutes after Belloumi’s overhead effort came into his path. Got away with a big error when he played it straight to Moore, who somehow shot wide. 7.5/10
Regan Slater: Buzzed around the middle of the park well, always trying to get the ball off Pandur and get his side moving. Fizzed a shot at goal before the break, which was turned away. Very good on the night, his best for a while. 8/10
Darko Gyabi: Like Joel Ndala, a return to the starting line-up, and he was bright in his first half work. Got his feet confused inside the box when he could have rattled in City’s second. His best display for City by some distance. 8/10
Matt Crooks: It was his shot saved by the goalkeeper which fashioned the chance for Joseph to score, and then created another chance from a clever Belloumi pass. Should have had another penalty. 7.5/10
Mo Belloumi: A first start since suffering a hamstring injury against Southampton, and tried an acrobatic overhead kick inside two minutes. His brilliant run into the box teed up the opening goal. Superb display and deserving of his standing ovation. 8/10
Joel Ndala: Back in from the start for the first time since being taken off at half-time against Stoke, and started really well off the left, causing all sorts of problems. Arguably should have scored. A lively display. 7.5/10
Kyle Joseph: Played through the middle and got a goal after 10 minutes in, turning home after Crooks’ shot was saved. Pressed from the front well. Should have scored from Giles’ cross but a tireless display. 7.5/10
Subs:
Oli McBurnie (for Joseph 63): A first appearance since October 18 for the striker and roared back on by the home fans. Had a header at goal shortly after, before he got across his man to turn in the second. What a comeback. 7/10
Liam Millar (for Ndala 63): Hit the bar in the final 10 minutes with an effort which beat the goalkeeper. 7/10
David Akintola (for Belloumi 70): Could have scored, only to be denied by a fine save. 7/10
Amir Hadziahmetovic (for Gyabi 82): Did what he needed to do in the closing stages to sure things up. 6/10
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