The Tigers secured revenge for their beating earlier this month
Hull City recorded a precious 1-0 win at promotion rivals Middlesbrough to end the year with a massive win.
After losing Ryan Giles to injury five minutes in, Darko Gyabi turned in at the near post to give the visitors the lead after just 12 minutes from Kyle Joseph’s ball.
City had to be resolute thereafter, with goalkeeper Ivor Pandur making a couple of important saves as the hosts pushed to try and find a way back into it, but the Tigers held firm to seal a huge away victory.
Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players on Teesside in the final outing of the year….
Ivor Pandur: Didn’t have a huge amount to do in the first half. Made a good claim and sensible stop just before the break. Decent low save to stop Burgzorg. Solid as he needed to be. 8/10
Ryan Giles: Played a delicious ball in behind for Kyle Joseph and immediately went down clutching his hamstring. After a lengthy spell of treatment and trying to go again, he had to come off. Another major blow. 6/10
Charlie Hughes: Important block just after City had gone in front ,and that set the tone for a stunning display. 9/10
John Egan: Two or three really big headers away early on with City under pressure. Booked just before the hour. Took one for the team. A brutal performance. 9/10
Akin Famewo: A first start for the summer signing coming into a back three, and he was really solid on the left side of City’s defensive unit. Replaced with just over 20 minutes to go, but a very professional full debut. 8/10
Lewie Coyle: Saw plenty of it in the first half, and had to do his fair share of defensive work in a half where his side were under heavy pressure at times. Crucial covering clearance. A proper captain’s display. 8/10
Regan Slater: Superb in the first half. Covered so much ground, got his foot in when needed and chased like a terrier. Ended the game at right-back. 9/10
Matt Crooks: Back on his old stomping ground for the first time since returning to England, and showed his quality and experience throughout. 8/10
Joel Ndala: Returned to the starting XI for the first time since the win over Wrexham, and showed glimpses without really making the most of those moments. 7/10
Darko Gyabi: Got off to a flier with his second Championship goal with a tidy near-post finish from Joseph’s pull-back. The big winning moment. 8/10
Kyle Joseph: Almost got on the end of a brilliant Giles ball, before his hold-up play and pass allowed Gyabi to fire in the opening goal. Ran his socks off. 7/10
Subs:
Cathal McCarthy (for Giles 5): A nervy few minutes after coming on, and was booked for clattering into Hayden Hackney outside the box. Really good block just before the break and grew into it second half, with some big moments. 8/10
Liam Millar (for Ndala 67): Went on at left-back because it was needs must for his side, and did what he had to do. 7/10
Amir Hadziahmetovic (for Famewo 67): Was neat and tidy when needed, and could have sealed it late on. 6/10
Kasey Palmer (for Coyle 75): A first outing since late September for the Jamaican and will have been pleased to get on the pitch. 6/10
Oli McBurnie (for Joseph 75): On the pitch with a slight complaint in his legs, but was superb in the closing stages to keep the ball and get his side up the pitch. 7/10
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