The Potters gained revenge for their defeat against the Tigers at the end of November
Hull City began 2026 with a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Stoke City after a dull New Year’s Day contest that will not live long in the memory.
A fairly drab opening half saw the Potters lead after Robert Bozenik slotted in at the back post after City missed numerous chances to clear in the build-up.
Charlie Hughes did see an effort crash off the crossbar after Regan Slater almost caught out rookie goalkeeper Tommy Simkin at the near post from a corner, but the Tigers failed to work the youngster and were beaten for the fifth successive MKM Stadium clash against the Potters.
Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at the MKM Stadium in the first outing of the New Year….
Ivor Pandur: Smart save low to deny Bozenik early on and then Junho shortly after. Should have done much better from Cisse’s shot that Bozenik turned in. Poor kick out in the second half needed Famewo to rescue it. 6/10
Akin Famewo: A second consecutive start for the first time since arriving in the summer, and was game on the left side playing out of position. Should have blazed away before the opening goal. Saved Pandur’s blushes after a poor kick out. 6/10
Charlie Hughes: Hit the bar with a fizzing shot just before the half-hour mark but was caught out for the opener. Hit the bar in the first half with a fizzing drive. 6/10
John Egan: A tough first period alongside Hughes, with the ball constantly coming back and City unable to keep the ball. Solid in the second period. 6/10
Lewie Coyle: Did a fairly decent job against Sorba Thomas early on, but was then caught watching for the opening goal when Bozenik peeled off him to score. Took a heavy challenge in the second period, but with a clean shirt and bandage, carried on and cleared off the line to deny Stoke a second. 6/10
Regan Slater: Started really well, and where he left off at Boro. Almost caught out Tommy Simkin at his near post with a corner, with Hughes hitting the bar moments later. Was booked at the end of the first period. 6/10
Darko Gyabi: Confident opening from Monday night’s matchwinner on Teesside, and was probably the best of a bad bunch in the opening 45. 6.5/10
Matt Crooks: Was booked early on by Craig Pawson for a foul on Junho. Some decent stuff in the middle. Probably should have taken greater care of the ball before the Bozenik goal. 6/10
Kyle Joseph: Fashioned one moment of promise in the first period, when he turned and shot wide via a block. Couldn’t really get into the game and was replaced at the break. 5/10
Liam Millar: Huffed and puffed in the opening 45 minutes without much success. Carved out half a chance for McBurnie in the second half. 5/10
Oli McBurnie: Didn’t have a sniff in the first period with very little service into him. A momentary glimmer from Millar’s cross but could only prod wide on the stretch. 6/10
Subs:
Joel Ndala (for Joseph 46): Introduced at the start of the second half. Wasn’t really hugely involved before, was beaten by Gallagher and dragged him down for a yellow card. Offered little in truth. 5/10
Enis Destan (for Famewo 73): Offered little after coming on in truth, and shot wide deep into added time. 5/10
Kasey Palmer (for Gyabi 73): Really disappointing delivery from a free-kick outside the box probably summed up City’s day. Thought he had equalised with a rasping drive that hit the underside of the bar and didn’t cross the line. 6/10
Amir Hadziahmetovic (for Slater 88): Brought some neat control to the game with City chasing a way back into it. 6/10
David Akintola (for Millar 88): Ran around a bit but never looked like doing anything to change the game. 5/10
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