The on-loan Leeds United star has been one of the signings of the season so far
Iain Dowie, who spent a brief spell as boss at Hull City, has hailed Joe Gelhardt as a goal machine after the in-form forward netted his seventh goal of the season so far to help the Tigers beat Portsmouth 3-2.
Gelhardt, who provided the set-piece delivery for Kyle Joseph to put City 2-1 up after Enis Destan had cancelled out Terry Devlin’s deflected opener, latched onto a stunning ball from Charlie Hughes to seal a fifth home win for the Tigers 11 minutes from time at the MKM Stadium.
The result moves City up to fifth in the Championship going into the international break, capping what has been a terrific start to the season under Sergej Jakirovic, with the Tigers claiming 13 points from 18 in their last six outings.
Dowie, who was covering the game on Sky Sports +, was suitably impressed by Gelhardt’s terrific finish, as well as the exquisite pass from Hughes, which caught out Pompey’s defence.
“The finish is exemplary. (But) Hang your head in shame, by the way. Both of them (Bowatt and Williams), both of them should be doing better, but particularly Jordan Williams,” Dowie said on Sky Sports.
“I’ve got to say, great ball, but absolutely outrageously bad defending. (It’s a) Brilliant pass. What a take. It’s just magical, you know. It’s a brilliant ball, fantastic take. And the quality of the finish is exemplary. It’s just a little dink. So much confidence.
“He’s a goal machine this year, Gelhardt. But the ball from Charlie Hughes is top draw, too. Not to hammer home the point, but what are Bowat and Williams doing?
“How have they just allowed that? You know, that is just ridiculous defending. You cannot let him just run off you. One of you has got to take him. One, communication; two, just do your job and track him back if it doesn’t happen.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.