City’s New Year started with a home defeat to their play-off rivals
New Year’s Day proved to be something of a damp squib for Hull City, who produced a tepid home display to lose 1-0 against a Stoke City side they beat just over a month ago.
Robert Bozenik’s tap-in six minutes before the break proved decisive, and though the Tigers hit the woodwork through Charlie Hughes and Kasey Palmer in added time, Sergej Jakirovic’s men failed to test young goalkeeper Tommy Simkin.
The defeat, a familiar tale at home to the Potters, ended City‘s run of four wins and a draw since their last home reverse against Middlesbrough at the start of December, but they remain inside the top six and just three points off the top two ahead of Sunday’s showdown with in-form Watford at the MKM Stadium.
A game too far
It’s been a terrific run since that defeat to Boro at the start of December, but with all their injuries and the effort at Middlesbrough, it felt like a game too far.
From the start, City looked lethargic and leggy. They lacked energy, and their usual zip was missing. They didn’t create chances, and the two efforts off the woodwork were speculative, arguably.
Given all the players out, with Ryan Giles the latest to join that ever-growing list, they looked disjointed at times and lacked the fluidity we’ve seen, but they’re still in a fantastic position, and defeats are going to happen. It’s about the response, as we’ve said before.
Shouldn’t we have known?
It’s Stoke. City always lose to Stoke City at the MKM Stadium, so perhaps we should just accept it and move on to Watford on Sunday. That’s five seasons in a row the Potters have won here.
As we’ve seen all season, Jakirovic’s men have responded well to setbacks, and they’ll hope to do so again in a couple of days’ time, albeit against what’s now the form team in the division, having wrestled that title off the Tigers.
The Hornets are on a great run of their own and have now won their last four games, leapfrogging City into fourth place in the Championship.
Crooks’ tightrope
The influential playmaker is cruising toward a two-game break at a time when he would be missed, given the way players are dropping.
Crooks is perched on nine bookings and now just one away from the ten, which would see him suspended for two Championship games, after being cautioned by Craig Pawson.
One more to go
City’s relentless 11-game block finally comes to an end on Sunday when they host Watford at the MKM Stadium. It’s been a manic run over the past few weeks, especially during this Christmas period, but the visit of the Hornets will bring an end to this mini-block of games and give them a clear week without any games.
Attention will then turn to the transfer window, and the FA Cup meeting with Blackburn Rovers next Sunday afternoon, which will give Jakirovic a chance to rest some of those players who have given so much in recent weeks, before it all begins again at Southampton later in the month.
While there are a host of injuries, there are players that would benefit from 90 minutes in the tank to keep their fitness ticking over, and one or two younger players that have been on the fringes of the first team.
Joff’s award
It may have been announced late on New Year’s Eve, but it still warrants recognition because it shows what a great year Joe Gelhardt has enjoyed.
The forward was named in the Championship’s Team of the Year for his performances throughout 2025 for the Tigers. After coming in on loan in January from Leeds United, Gelhardt’s five goals played a huge role in keeping City in the Championship amid their relegation battle.
After forcing his way back to the MKM Stadium in the summer, Gelhardt had been in electric form before picking up a calf injury in the defeat to Boro at the start of the month. Eight goals and two assists in ten games were incredible, taking his overall tally to ten in 19 and 15 for the calendar year.
The sooner he’s back and available for City, the better, especially with Mo Belloumi facing another spell out with his second hamstring injury of the season.
The Championship’s Team of the Year: Johansson (Stoke City), Crama (Millwall), Phillips (WBA), Thomas (Coventry), Dunne (QPR), Rudoni (Coventry), Torp (Coventry), Louza (Watford), Johnston (WBA), Morris (Derby), Gelhardt (City).
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