Hull City went fourth in the table with a 1-0 win
Hull City registered a crucial 1-0 win over West Brom in their final MKM Stadium outing of 2025 thanks to Oli McBurnie’s penalty at the end of the first half.
City were second best for long periods of a drab first half and should have been at least 2-0 down with Isaac Price and Karlan Grant missing good chances, before they were punished right at the end of a half that lasted almost an hour.
Nat Phillips was penalised for a handball inside the box, and up stepped in-form Oli McBurnie to stroke home his spot-kick and put the Tigers a goal in front.
Alfie Gilchrist was sent off shortly after coming on for a high challenge on Liam Millar, with City forced to play against 10 men for a second consecutive game, but they saw it out without any danger.
Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon….
Ivor Pandur: Didn’t have a save to make in the first half, despite Albion having some big chances and only one in the second. Booked in added time for taking his time over a free-kick. Important clean sheet 7/10
Ryan Giles: One of City’s better performers in a poor first half, going both ways. Delivered in a couple of belting crosses, and his corner won the penalty. A default assist, anyone? Booked late in the game for a shirt pull. 8/10
Charlie Hughes: Hurt in a challenge with Nat Phillips and needed lengthy treatment. Battled on and was solid in the second half as City saw it out. 8/10
John Egan: Replaced Semi Ajayi in the starting XI and looked a bit disjointed early on. Vital touch on a cross inside his own box to deny what may well have been the equaliser. 7.5/10
Lewie Coyle: Had a really difficult first half against Karlan Grant and Charlie Taylor. Aside from one moment when Grant got the better of him. Could have sealed it in the final minute. 7/10
Regan Slater: Struggled to get any control early on as City were second best but was much better in the second half when Amir was introduced. 7/10
Matt Crooks: Rash foul outside the box gave Johnston the chance to have a go at goal three minutes in. Picked up a Christmas card of his own in the second half. Could perhaps have seen a second shortly after. Decent display, those moments aside. 7/10
Liam Millar: Started brightly early on but couldn’t get into the game. Showed glimpses and saw a rasping drive deflect just over. Clattered by Gilchrist, who was sent off. 6/10
Mo Belloumi: A bit like Millar, showed some nice early touches but couldn’t get into it. He executed a lovely turn to get his man booked. He was then booked for kicking the ball away after a foul throw. Put in a shift but not his day going forward. 6/10
Kyle Joseph: Had City’s first opening when he headed over, but wasn’t involved at all thereafter. Found it hard to get involved in the contest. Tough be taken off at the break but a change needed to be made to the system in midfield. 5/10
Oli McBurnie: Restored to the starting line-up and headed wide early on after winning his side a smart free-kick. Got City in front with a calmly taken spot-kick. Never stopped on a day when the supply was limited. 8/10
Subs:
Amir Hadziahmetovic (for Joseph 46): On at the start of the second half to aid a change of shape from the Tigers to give them a foothold in the middle of the park. Made a big difference second half. 7/10
David Akintola (for Belloumi 72): Saw a shot blocked after the red card. A useful cameo off the bench. 6/10
Enis Destan (for McBurnie 84): Could have sealed it with a terrific Giles cross in the closing stages. 6/10
Akin Famewo (for Millar 84): Did what he needed to go when he came on, and ushered the ball out in stoppage time well to see things out. 6/10
Darko Gyabi (for Slater 90): No real time to make an impact in the final seconds. 6/10
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