City came from behind to claim a first win in seven games
Oli McBurnie dragged Hull City level from the penalty spot(Image: Freddie Yeo/MB Media/Getty Images)
A brace from Oli McBurnie helped Hull City beat Norwich City 2-1 at a sold-out MKM Stadium to leapfrog Wrexham and claim the final play-off place.
City were largely second best for the majority of the first half, and it was no great surprise when they fell behind after 26 minutes when Mohamed Toure was afforded space inside the six-yard box to slam in a volley.
Jakirovic, watching on from the stands under the terms of his FA touchline ban, saw the perfect response from his side with Oli McBurnie levelling up two minutes later from the penalty spot after Joe Gelhardt was fouled. McBurnie then lifted the roof off the stadium when he slotted to give City the lead 67 minutes in.
A nervy ending followed, but City saw it out and with Wrexham drawing and Derby County losing, Sergej Jakirovic’s heroes claimed sixth spot.
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Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon….
Ivor Pandur: Good early save to deny Kellen Fisher’s low effort. Badly exposed for the opening goal. Kept things calm, and his claim in the final minute of stoppage time was greeted by huge roars. 8/10
Ryan Giles: Couldn’t really get forward in the first half and was pinned back. Cracking free-kick in for McBurnie, which was brilliantly saved. Never stopped all afternoon. 8/10
Charlie Hughes: Tough first half facing a dominant Norwich side on his return to the starting line-up. An absolute colossus in the second half. 9/10
John Egan: Like Hughes, was consistently exposed in the first half. His run and cross did fashion a good chance for Crooks. Was replaced at half-time. He’s had a fine season, has the Irishman. 6/10
Lewie Coyle: Endured a really difficult first half against Kellen Fisher. In fairness, didn’t get a huge amount of help from Mo Belloumi. Huge clearance late on, and delivered a captain’s second half. 8/10
Regan Slater: A first start since hurting his ankle early on against Sheffield Wednesday in March, covered so much ground in the engine room. Had much more control in the second period. 8/10
Matt Crooks: Clocked up his half-century of appearances for the Tigers, though after needing treatment in the warm-up, it looked like he might not get it. Difficult first period with City dominated. Forced a point-blank save with a close-range header. Nodded down into the path of McBurnie for the second. 8/10
Liam Millar: Started brightly in the first half but faded, with City unable to get any real momentum going forward. Kept at it in the second and put in a shift for his team. 7.5/10
Joe Gelhardt: Carved out the big moment with the run inside the box, which saw him brought down for the penalty. A bit like Belloumi, found it hard to get into the game that moment aside before coming off. 6/10
Mo Belloumi: Didn’t look at all fit in the first period, struggled going both ways. One good free-kick, which Crooks headed over. Struggled in the second half before coming off. 6/10
Oli McBurnie: Yet another game where he lacked service. Slotted in the penalty when his side needed a calm head. So close to making it two, but was denied by a great save. No mistake when he diverted in to give his side the lead. When you need big-match players, big-match players turn up. 9/10
Subs:
Paddy McNair (for Egan 46): Superb in the second half after coming on for Egan. Hugely important clearance at the near post. 7/5/10
Kyle Joseph (for Gelhardt 59): Always a willing runner, ran himself into the ground. A big performance to help his side over the line. 6/10
Kieran Dowell (for Belloumi 59): A couple of really nice moments, and then he got caught on the ball in bad areas. 6/10
Lewis Koumas (for Millar 65): His pace was crucial in the final moments, with City trying desperately to get up the pitch. 6/10
John Lundstram (for Crooks 86): Came on in a bid to sure things up with City holding on for dear life. 6/10
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