The Tigers held on for another big three points to cap a great week
Oliver McBurnie of Hull City celebrates his goal(Image: )
In-form Hull City made it three wins in a week with a gritty, determined 2-1 win over Swansea City to keep pressure on the automatic places.
City were two up at the break courtesy of Oli McBurnie’s penalty 24 minutes in and a stunning drive from Regan Slater just before half-time, though the Swans missed two gilt-edged chances through striker Zan Zipotnik, who really should have had his side 2-1 in front before Slater’s stunner.
It was 2-1 just before the hour when the visitors’ dominance paid off, and Liam Cullen glanced in the goal the Swans had been threatening, but the Tigers held firm to hit the 50-point mark.
Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon….
Ivor Pandur: Barely anything to do in the first half, though he should have been beaten twice. Made some vital saves in the second period to preserve the three points. 8/10
Akin Famewo: Made a couple of decent interventions, but struggled to keep the lively Ronald under wraps in the first half. 7/10
Charlie Hughes: Very good in the first half, was dominant alongside Egan. Tougher second half as his side were pinned back for much of it. 8/10
John Egan: Vital touch to stop Ronald getting in on goal from a flicked ball over the top. Lost Zipotnik for what should have been his second. Strong until the end. 8/10
Lewie Coyle: Tough first period up against Eom Ji-sung, and the quality of balls in from Josh Tymon, but stuck to his task well. A show of graft in the second. 8/10
Regan Slater: Great tracking back after losing the ball to deny a Swans counter, capped a fine first half with a stunning strike to make it 2-0. Never stopped in the second period when there was a lot of chasing. 8/10
Amir Hadziahmetovic: Down early with a knock to the head but was able to carry on. Shifted the ball around nicely. His free-kick won the penalty, and he got an assist for Slater’s cracker. 6/10
Kyle Joseph: Returned to the starting XI after missing the midweek win at PNE, and almost scored but forced a fine save from the goalkeeper, and good work teed up Gelhardt. He wasn’t at his best defensively in the first period. Should have scored the third after Yu’s shot was saved. Proper graft again. 7/10
Joe Gelhardt: A first start since December 5 for the City ace, and he instantly got the fans going with a fine piece of defending to help his side counter. Inchaes away from scoring in the first period. A good hour or so in the tank. 6/10
Liam Millar: Always a menace out wide. His cross found Slater to score the second, could have had one himself. Pacey and direct. Booked early in the second for a lunge and was replaced. He’s played his part in a big week. 7/10
Oli McBurnie: Was there ever any doubt when he stepped up from the spot? Slammed that in with some conviction. Put in a real shift up front as per usual. 7/10
Subs:
Yu Hirakawa (for Millar 56): Wonderful run and shot almost sealed the game for City. A proper little terrier. 7/10
John Lundstram (for Gelhardt 56): Gave it away a couple of times as City struggled to grip the game in the second period. 6/10
David Akintola (for McBurnie 72): A couple of decent runs, but also gave away a daft free-kick in stoppage time. 6/10
Matty Jacob (for Amir 72): Added some much-needed cover in the closing stages. 6/10
Kieran Dowell (for Joseph 88): Made his Tigers debut barely 24 hours after his move was announced to the world, and though it was late, he will have been pleased to get on. 6/10
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