City won a second consecutive away win
Hull City made it 10 wins for the season with a deserved 3-1 triumph at play-off rivals Millwall in a fiery encounter at The Den.
The Tigers roared into a 2-0 lead after just 13 minutes when Mo Belloumi teed up Kyle Joseph to angle in a clever opener and shortly after, Liam Millar on the opposite flank crossed for the striker to tap in from close range.
Those two goals did come after Ivor Pandur had made two very good saves to deny the hosts inside the opening couple of minutes after a quick start from Alex Neil’s men.
Aidomo Emakhu brought the hosts back into it despite the red card, before Oli McBurnie headed in Lewie Coyle’s cross with two minutes to go and seal it.
Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at The Den on Saturday afternoon….
Ivor Pandur: Made three saves in the first 10 minutes, with two of those coming inside the opening two minutes and how pivotal those were. Good stop in the second to deny Azeez at the back post. Beaten for the goal but was there with some big saves when needed. 8/10
Ryan Giles: Like the rest of the back four, a really dodgy opening before asserting his control. Got forward well. Collected a Christmas card late on from the referee. 8/10
Charlie Hughes: A couple of big challenges inside the box to protect the two-goal lead in the first period. Won the ball to free Amir for the second goal. Won just about everything else. 8/10
Semi Ajayi: After a rocky opening, was solid and composed alongside Hughes. A really good display to head off to AFCON with. 8/10
Lewie Coyle: Very solid in the first half and got forward well to support the electric Belloumi. Booked in the second period for a foul. Crossed for McBurnie after being played in behind for the Millwall goal. 8/10
Regan Slater: Very good in the first half and almost scored a belter with a mazy run and effort. Really important header away early inside the second period. 8/10
Amir Hadziahmetovic: Restored to the first eleven and had a hand in the second, freeing Millar to race away. Did the job that was needed in controlling the middle of the park. 8/10
Liam Millar: A return to the starting XI for the Canadian and an assist for Joseph’s second with a precise cross into his path. Almost had one for himself. Booked early in the second for grabbing a shirt and was lucky to stay on the pitch after kicking the ball away. Rightly brought off moments later, but a very good display on his first start after injury. 8/10
Mo Belloumi: His second consecutive start for the first time in more than a year and what a performance. Set up the first and was a threat throughout the first half. Deserved standing ovation from the away fans because he was excellent. 8.5/10
Matt Crooks: Some really smart touches in and around the middle of the park. Used his experience throughout. 8/10
Kyle Joseph: Wonderful finish to open the scoring and clever movement got him away for the second from Millar’s cross. On a hat-trick after just 13 minutes. Battled hard thereafter and was fouled for the red card. 9/10
Subs:
Oli McBurnie (for Millar 65): When City needed the cushion of a third there he was to head in and make it two in two off the bench. 7.5/10
Darko Gyabi (for Hadziahmetovic 73): Decent showing in the second half when City were trying to hold onto the lead. 7/10
David Akintola (for Belloumi 73): Had a couple of chances on the break which he didn’t take full advantage of. 6/10
John Egan (for Joseph 87): A smart arrival in the closing stages to sure it up with the hosts pushing hard. 6/10
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