The Tigers inflicted an eighth straight away defeat on ex-City man Ryan Mason
Hull City’s narrow 1-0 win over West Brom ensured the Tigers will spend Christmas fourth in the Championship, after Oli McBurnie’s penalty proved the difference.
Despite a below-par display in the opening period that went on for 57 minutes, City managed to get their noses in front from the penalty spot when Oli McBurnie struck his 10th goal of the season after Nat Phillips was penalised for handball deep into added time at the end of a half that saw Albion pass up a couple of gilt-edged chances.
City could, and should, have sealed the win in the second half after Alfie Gilchrist was sent off for a high challenge on Liam Millar, but a gritty home victory and another clean sheet made it three straight wins, and increased the pressure on ex-Tigers man Ryan Mason.
Jakirovic made two changes from the win at Millwall, with one of those enforced with ex-Baggies man Semi Ajayi away on AFCON duty with Nigeria. The other switch saw Oli McBurnie return to the starting XI after two goals off the bench following his calf injury, coming in at the expense of Amir Hadziahmetovic, who dropped to the bench. The addition of McBurnie saw a change in shape with City starting with two strikers up front.
There was a nice moment in the mist before kick-off with the club inducting legends Tony Norman and Ken Houghton into their Hall of Fame.
From a City corner which Belloumi gifted away, Albion thrust themselves up the other end and won a free-kick just outside the D from Matt Crooks’ foul on Callum Styles, which Mikey Johnston floated just wide with Pandur rooted to the spot. City’s first sight of goal came from Slater’s cross from a short corner, which Kyle Joseph could only rise to head over.
Albion should have been in front 10 minutes when Grant again broke free down the left and crossed for Isaac Price to somehow blaze over from a yard out centre of goal.
City were struggling to get any kind of control of the ball inside the middle of the park and that was allowing Albion to cause all sorts of problems, and not looking like a side that had lost seven on the bounce away from The Hawthorns.
Play was stopped for a lengthy period, with Charlie Hughes needing treatment inside the Tigers’ six-yard box and it resumed about seven minutes later with the defender sporting a Terry Butcher-style headband after a clash with Nat Phillips.
Belloumi executed a sumptuous Cruyff turn on Charlie Taylor, who then hauled back the Algerian and was given a card from referee Ruebyn Ricardo, just in time for Christmas.
City’s rough start continued and Albion passed up another fine chance to go in front when Grant volleyed across goal and wide of Pandur’s post.
A disjointed half continued with the Tigers finding their system difficult. McBurnie headed straight at Joe Wildsmith in a rare sight of goal before Chris Mepham replaced Bielik, who came off worst in a challenge with Crooks, just as eight minutes were added at the end of what had become an attritional affair. Belloumi’s booking for giving away a foul throw and then kicking the ball away in frustration probably summed it up.
There was to be drama in the final moments of added time when Phillips was penalised for a handball from Giles’ corner, and up stepped McBurnie to calmly roll in the penalty and give his side a lead they were fortunate to have.
Unsurprisingly, Jakirovic changed shape at the break and introduced Amir Hadziahmetovic in place of Joseph, but it was Albion who mustered their first attempt on target with Grant beating Coyle before shooting low from a tight angle straight at Pandur. George Campbell joined the referee’s Christmas card list for a soft foul. Crooks joined him during what was probably City’s best spell in the game.
Moments later, Crooks caught his man when trying to play Belloumi through. He got a foul given in his favour, but Albion were furious and wanted a second yellow.
Ryan Mason, in a bid to get his side back into the game, brought on Josh Maja and Alfie Gilchrist in place of Price and Campbell with 24 minutes left. Belloumi’s day was finished 20 minutes from time when he was replaced by David Akintola. Another useful outing as he continues his return from injury.
For the second week in a row, the Tigers finished the game against 10 men after Gilchrist was given a straight red card for a high challenge on Millar right in front of the Baggies’ dugout.
Taylor and Johnston were hauled off with Jason Molomby and Sam Iling-Junior on for the final 10 minutes. Giles was booked for a shirt pull. McBurnie was given a standing ovation when he was replaced by the returning Enis Destan, while Akin Famewo replaced Millar with six on the clock.
Pandur was booked for time-wasting in added time, but the Tigers survived without any major dramas and claim a seventh home win of the season to end their 2025 home campaign on a high, and ensure Christmas in Tigers households will be enjoyable.
Hull City: Pandur, Giles, Hughes, Egan, Coyle (c), Crooks, Slater, Belloumi, Millar, Joseph (Amir 46), McBurnie. Subs: Phillips, Famewo, Gyabi, Ndala, Destan, Akintola, Amir, McCarthy, Drameh.
West Brom: Wildsmith; Campbell (Gilchrist 66), Phillips, Bielik (Mepham 47), Taylor (Molomby 80); Diakite, Styles; Johnston (Iling-Junior 80), Price (Maja 66), Grant; Heggebo. Subs: Griffiths, Gilchrist, Mepham, Molumby, Iling-Junior, Bostock, Bany, Maja, Dike.
Man of the Match: Charlie Hughes
Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
Attendance: 21,218 (around 1,500 from Albion)
Here at Hull Live , we are dedicated to bringing you the best Hull City coverage and analysis. Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group.
You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service.
Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.