City claimed a memorable away victory to end 2025 in style
Darko Gyabi’s early goal was enough to seal a 1-0 win for Hull City at promotion rivals Middlesbrough, as the Tigers moved to within two points of the automatic places.
In a year that started with fears of relegation to League One, it ends with dreams of promotion to the Premier League, after a 12th win of what’s fast becoming a stunning season.
The depleted Tigers roared into a 12th-minute lead when Darko Gyabi turned in at the near post from Kyle Joseph’s cutback.
City had to withstand pressure late on, without ever really being tested and saw out one of their most impressive victories so far.
Jakirovic made four changes from the side that was held to a 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day, with two of those enforced. Mo Belloumi was missing as he faces up to three months out with a hamstring injury, while Oli McBurnie was only fit enough to be on the bench, having complained of some pain in his leg.
Amir Hadziahmetovic and Liam Millar were both dropped to the bench, with Akin Famewo and Darko Gyabi coming in. That saw a change in shape, with Sergej Jakirovic going with a 5-3-2 formation.
For Boro, there was no Dael Fry, George Edmundson, David Strelec and ex-City man Alfie Jones, along with Darragh Lenihan and Riley McGree, amid three changes from their draw with Blackburn Rovers.
City fashioned the first moment of hope inside three minutes when Giles cleverly crafted a ball around for Joseph, but it ran just past him and was cleared. Giles appeared to have pulled something in that move, and after a spell of treatment, had to be replaced just five minutes in by Cathal McCarthy. The Tigers’ ongoing injury troubles are showing no signs of easing.
Despite that setback, it was the Tigers who stunned a capacity Riverside crowd when they took the lead through Darko Gyabi’s fine finish, after Joseph did brilliantly to keep the ball in and feed it back to him at the near post.
McCarthy was then booked for a lunge on Hayden Hackney as Boro pushed for a way back into it with a flurry of balls into the Tigers’ box, but they came up against firm resistance. Referee Leigh Doughty booked substitute David Akintola for throwing the ball away at a throw while he was warming up, and then a member of the coaching staff in a bid to keep himself warm on a filthy Teesside evening.
Sonte Hansen, Delano Burgzorg and Aidan Morris were introduced just shy of the hour, in place of Gilbert, Sene and Browne.
Joseph was then the latest to claim another card, for a soft foul. Just over 20 minutes were left when Ndala Famewo and were replaced by Millar and Amir. McCarthy continued to impress with a flurry of terrific blocks, in what was a very good defensive display.
Boro were struggling to fashion real chances with Burgzorg testing Pandur low down before Jakirovic sent on McBurnie and Kasey Palmer, and moments later, the City striker was clattered by Hansen, who was booked.
The flurry of Christmas cards from referee Doughty continued for the departing Coyle and head coach Jakirovic.
McBurnie did a fine job in keeping Boro honest in the final seconds, but they ran out of ideas against a well-organised unit, masterminded by their head coach and the celebrations at full-time with their sold-out away following was a moment to savour, and the perfect end to a dramatic year.
Middlesbrough (4-3-3): Brynn, Brittain, Targett, Hackney (c), Conway (Nypan 84), Whittaker, Ayling, Gilbert (Hansen 58), Browne (Morris 58), Sene (Burgzorg 58), Bangura. Subs: McLaughlin, Burgzorg, Hamilton, Morris, Nypan, Silvera, Hansen, McCormick, Kante.
Hull City (5-4-1): Pandur, Giles (McCarthy 5), Famewo (Amir 67), Hughes, Egan, Coyle (c) (Palmer 75), Crooks, Slater, Gyabi, Ndala (Millar 67), Joseph (McBurnie 75). Subs: Phillips, McBurnie, Akintola, Millar, Amir, Destan, Palmer, McCarthy, Ashbee.
Referee: Leigh Doughty
Man of the Match: Regan Slater
Attendance: 31,421 (2,118 from City)
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