The Tigers suffered a third home loss in the last four league outings
Hull City’s Kyle Joseph reacts after his goal was ruled out by referee David Webb(Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)
Hull City suffered back-to-back defeats with a 3-1 loss at MKM Stadium to play-off rivals Millwall, though it was hugely controversial after two key first-half moments that went against the Tigers.
Jake Cooper opened the scoring 14 minutes in after City failed to deal with a Millwall free-kick, but the hosts responded well and were level within four minutes when Kyle Joseph fed Joe Gelhardt to fire home.
Penalty shouts on Oli McBurnie were waved away before the excellent Joseph headed in what should have been the second, only for referee David Webb to bizarrely chalk it off. City were dominant, they were playing some lovely football, but as so often happens there’s a sting in the tail.
A tame cross into the box wasn’t dealt with by Ivor Pandur, and the ball fell at the feet of Mihailo Ivanovic to tap in, and the game was put to bed 12 minutes from time when Josh Coburn slammed in from the edge of the box.
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Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon….
Ivor Pandur: Well beaten by the opening goal, didn’t have much to do in the first half, but did what he needed to well. Costly error for the crucial second goal, which killed City in truth, not sure what he was doing. Well beaten for the third. 5/10
Lewie Coyle: Despite an ankle injury, he was named on the teamsheet and dealt well with Femi Azeez in the first period and that continued throughout. 7/10
Charlie Hughes: Didn’t cover himself in glory for their opening goal. Headed against the bar later in the first half. Booked in the second half. 6/10
Semi Ajayi: A first Tigers appearance since the win at Millwall in December and was decent in the first period, aside from one slip when Drameh bailed him out. Really sloppy pass for their third which ended any hope of a comeback. Perhaps no surprise he’s a tad rusty after a month out, but should still be doing better. 5/10
Cody Drameh: A really good first period, and he was a real threat going forward. Got Ajayi out fo jail with a fine challenge in the middle of the park. A decent performance at full-back. 7/10
Regan Slater: Always willing to get on the ball, won his challenges and was box-to-box. Could have possibly done better with the chance right at half-time and one in the second. Just lacked power and those were two good openings. 7/10
John Lundstram: A return to the starting XI and started brightly with a driving run and cross which picked out Joseph to head against the bar. Probably should have scored just before McBurnie’s goal was disallowed. A really encouraging showing. 7/10
Liam Millar: Always a threat in the first period, and probably should have gone in at half-time with at least two assists. Replaced in the second half. 6.5/10
Joe Gelhardt: Scored a brilliant goal, which suggests he’s finding the form he had before his injury against Middlesbrough. Had some bright moments in the second before it all fell apart. 7/10
Kyle Joseph: Headed against the bar early on from Lundstram’s cross and kept on the front foot. Was superb in the first period, the best player on the pitch. Got an assist for the equaliser, and deserved more, certainly not to have his header disallowed. 8/10
Oli McBurnie: Had an early sight of goal from Coyle’s cross but could only angle his header wide of the far post. Looked to have been fouled for a possible penalty. Couldn’t really get into it enough in the second period. 6/10
Subs:
Lewis Koumas (for Joseph 70): Should have scored in the final minute but sliced his volley at the back post. 6/10
Amir Hadziahmetovic (for Lundstram 70): Looked good on the ball, neat and tidy when he came on just after the second goal. 6/10
Kieran Dowell (for Millar 81): Had an effort blocked after Koumas’ volley was deflected into his path. 6/10
Cathal McCarthy (for Slater 90): The final few minutes for the young Irishman as City fell to defeat at home. 6/10
Toby Collyer (for Coyle 90): Good to see him back on the pitch for the first time in a month or so. 6/10
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