City’s hopes of returning to the Premier League remain alive
Oli McBurnie celebrates Hull City’s winner against Norwich City(Image: Freddie Yeo/MB Media/Getty Images)
Hull City will face Millwall in the Championship play-offs after securing a dramatic final-day win over Norwich City at a sold-out MKM Stadium.
Despite falling behind to a Mohamed Toure goal in the first half, City responded within two minutes when Joe Gelhardt was fouled inside the box, and Oli McBurnie slammed in the penalty.
After being denied before, McBurnie latched onto Matt Crooks’ knock-down from Lewie Coyle’s free-kick to slot home the winning goal and seal a 2-1 success.
City’s victory, their first in seven games, coupled with Wrexham’s 2-2 draw at home to Middlesbrough, meant the Tigers leapfrogged Phil Parkinson’s men and made sure of sixth place.
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Sergej Jakirovic’s men will now go into the two-legged semi-final with Millwall, with their dreams of reaching the Premier League alive and well.
Millwall were 2-0 winners over relegated Oxford United on the final day, but that wasn’t enough to secure automatic promotion after Ipswich Town thumped QPR to seal an instant return to the top flight. The Lions missed out by a point and will now tackle the Tigers over two legs.
The first leg will be played at the MKM Stadium on Friday night, with the second leg the following Monday evening at The Den in South London.
City were 3-1 winners in Bermondsey before Christmas, while Alex Neil’s Lions won by the same score at the MKM Stadium in early March. Southampton will face Middlesbrough in the other semi-final, with the first leg at the Riverside Stadium.
Here’s the key play-off dates
First legs
- Hull City v Millwall – Friday, May 8 – 8pm
- Middlesbrough v Southampton – Saturday, May 9 – 12:30pm
Second legs
- Millwall v Hull City – Monday, May 11 – 8pm
- Southampton v Middlesbrough – Tuesday, May 12 – 8pm
Play-off Final
- Saturday, May 23 – kick-off time TBC
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