For many casual observers City’s position in the table has appeared false
Mohamed Belloumi celebrates scoring against Oxford United (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Hull City may not have won their big Easter Monday showdown with Coventry City, but their performance showed why they remain one of the best teams in the Championship.
For many casual observers of the second tier, City’s position in the table has appeared false, or underserved.
In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. City are where they are on merit, and their display against the best team in the EFL showed why. They went toe-to-toe with Coventry, and with a better decision in the final third, probably come away with more than the point they claimed, which was the very least of what they deserved.
For 20 minutes at the beginning, Sergej Jakirovic’s side were at their swashbuckling best, rampaging forward at every opportunity and carving out chances.
Had Liam Kitching’s outstretched leg not brilliantly diverted John Egan’s goal-bound effort away, the hosts would have deservedly taken the lead.
Other moments came and went, but at the other end, City were resolute, organised and kept the league’s most potent attack at arm’s length. Their only shot on target in the entire game was one from distance after referee David Webb had played an advantage. For a team that have had so many defensive issues all season, it was arguably Ivor Pandur’s quietest night of the season, and that’s testament to the job his team did in front of him.
City can mix it with the best, we’ve seen that all season. After some iffy displays recently where they’ve lacked conviction, and quality, this was a return to the standards we know they can reach when they’re on their game, and everyone is at it.
That performance should give huge encouragement going into the final five league games, and it should also be the blueprint of how to play at home should they go on and seal a play-off place.
As it stands, and based on current trajectory, they’ll be playing the first left of a potential semi-final at home. The only thing lacking was a goal, and there haven’t been too many occasions this season where they’ve been found wanting in that department, and the discipline in that display is exactly what’s needed in the final month.
City are a good team, they have had a fine season, now the challenge is to finish it off and ensure there’s no danger of letting this opportunity slip from their grasp.
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