The Tigers moved back into the Championship’s top six with a deserved away victory
Charlie Hughes of Hull City celebrates(Image: Getty Images)
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic revealed he would hand out a cash bonus to Amir Hadziahmetovic and Charlie Hughes for delivering a set-piece goal in the 2-1 win at Southampton.
Jakirovic has been urging his side to score more from dead-ball situations, and so was thrilled when Hadziahmetovic’s corner was headed in by Hughes to give City a two-goal lead in the first half.
The Tigers are the lowest scorers from set-pieces in the Championship, with Hughes’ clever header at the back post just their fourth of the campaign.
City were pegged back in the second half when Ross Stewart cleverly finished to set up a nervy finale, but Jakirovic’s side were rarely troubled and saw out a victory which saw them complete the league double of the hapless Saints.
Jakirovic also had high praise for Kyle Joseph’s well-taken opener, after Oli McBurnie had intercepted Ryan Manning’s loose pass across his own box.
“We are very happy, congratulations to the lads. Tactically, we were good. The first goal, Kyle finished like (Lionel) Messi. From my angle, it was the perfect goal,” the Tigers head coach told Hull Live.
“I promised Amir and Charlie bonuses. It is impossible that we have been practising set-pieces for so long, and every single day we cannot score from them. But today everything was perfect. It was a good cross, good blocking, and Charlie was alone. I cannot say what the bonus is, but it is cash. It is my promise. Everything is about the money in football.”
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