The Tigers made it back-to-back wins with ruthless display in South London
An early brace from Kyle Joseph and a late Oli McBurnie header sealed a deserved 3-1 win for Hull City at Millwall to make it back-to-back wins in the Championship.
A second half sending off for the hosts left them down to 10 men when Femi Azeez kicked out at goalscorer Joseph, and while the hosts rallied to drag themselves back into it at 2-1 with 10 minutes left, McBurnie’s clever header from Lewie Coyle’s cross sealed a second away win on the bounce, and backed up Wednesday’s win over Wrexham.
It’s also been the perfect response to what happened in that first half against Boro last Friday night, and sees the Tigers remain inside the top six ahead of their final pre-Christmas outing at home to West Brom next weekend.
Here, Tigers reporter Barry Cooper looks at the big moments from a feisty afternoon by the Thames…
Another big success
It might have started a bit nervously in Bermondsey, but once Kyle Joseph angled in the opener, City didn’t look back and were worthy winners.
Alex Neil will point to the moment Liam Millar could have been sent off for a second yellow card when he kicked the ball away, but make no mistake about it, City were the dominant force, and Millwall were going nowhere in the game. If anything, the sending off of Azeez galvanised them for a period.
That’s now Stoke City and Millwall that City have gone to in successive games, against teams second and then third respectively at the start of play, and won them both. This is a team to be reckoned with, and they’re showing why.
The double act is back
It was 416 days since City were last able to see Liam Millar and Mo Belloumi on the same pitch. October 23, 2024, against Burnley was the last time, prior to Millar suffering his ACL injury and then Belloumi shortly after at Oxford United on Bonfire Night.
It’s been a long, long road back for both of them, with their respective hamstring injuries keeping them sidelined this term, but seeing them back on the pitch at The Den from the start was a major highlight, and they were involved in everything. In the first half, Belloumi was unplayable, so much so Zak Sturge went off at the break feeling dizzy. I’m not surprised, given the torrid half he endured.
Those two wingers working in tandem are as good as anyone in this league, and if they can stay fit, then the Tigers will have every chance in the coming weeks.
Semi’s a miss
The big defender now heads off to AFCON for the next month, and he’ll be a big loss. Ajayi has been vitally important in recent weeks, and bar the odd error at Derby County and against Boro, he’s looked really assured whether he’s played alongside John Egan or Charlie Hughes.
Naturally, everybody wishes Ajayi well with Nigeria, but it’s hard to escape the fact that his presence will be missed for however long he’s away. That said, it’s a chance for Egan and Akin Famewo to step up and deliver in Ajayi’s absence.
A deserved celebration
Let’s be honest, the first half of 2025 was horrendous for City. Staying up on the final day was not cause for real celebration, but a sign of relief.
Since the season resumed, it’s been an enjoyable journey, and now the players head off on their well-deserved Christmas get-together, where they’ll let their hair down and spend a couple of days together.
Last year’s fuddle was cancelled by Ruben Selles, given how things were going. But Jakirovic has encouraged this, and rightly so. It’s another mark of how tight-knit the group are, and long may that continue. Given the performance to kick off their weekend, surely no Tigers fans can begrudge the squad a proper knees up.
Jakirovic’s joke!
The City gaffer is nothing if not a funny man, and his sense of humour always shines through, whatever happens.
At The Den, Jakirovic, decked out in jeans and trainers, looked as if he was off Christmas shopping in Oxford Street, rather than managing a football match.
He then posted on social media after the game, joking that he’d hurt his hamstring during the post-match celebrations.
You can sense the love and admiration the players have for the Croatian, and those feelings are certainly echoed by the supporters.
A welcome break
It’s been a hectic run since coming back from the international break, especially with the three games in the week, but the Tigers now have a clear week to rest and recover before the madness begins again.
West Brom are next up at the MKM Stadium on Saturday in their final outing prior to Christmas, and there won’t be much in the way of rest for the players and staff with games coming thick and fast between Boxing Day and the visit of Watford on January 4.
Given the busy week and so many coming back from injury, a clear week will come as a welcome boost to the players ahead of the weekend.
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