Hull City threw away a lead to lose 2-1 at Bramall Lane
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – APRIL 11: Oliver McBurnie of Hull City runs with the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Hull City at Bramall Lane on April 11, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Mark Sutton/Getty Images)
Hull City collapsed against Sheffield United as they threw away a second half lead to lose 2-1 at Bramall Lane.
The Tigers took the lead early through former Blade Oli McBurnie and they looked more than capable of seeing out the game and claiming three points they craved in the play-off race.
However, a red card for John Lundstram with 15 minutes to go opened the door for the Blades to hit back and they did just that through Gustavo Hamer and Danny Ings.
Sergej Jakirovic’s side could have moved seven points clear of seventh placed Wrexham, but they missed the opportunity and with four games to go, the pressure is truly on.
City couldn’t have hoped for a better start at Bramall Lane and after Mo Belloumi saw an effort deflected over the bar, they found the opener through McBurnie.
Working the ball into the box from the left, Liam Millar found the striker in the box and watched on as he held the ball up, turned and hit it hard and low to beat Adam Davies at his near post.
It was the lead they deserved and the chances kept coming as City made the most of some lapse defending from the home side.
John Lundstram stung the palms of Davies with a first time effort from the edge of the box before Millar fired an effort marginally over the bar from range.
The Blades managed to work their way back into the game and found a slither of success through Callum O’Hare, who found himself in space with regularity.
However, City came within a whisker of doubling their lead when McBurnie’s overhead kick from 10 yards was cleared off the line by Mark McGuinness.
With the natives beginning to get restless, United managed to get their foot on the ball in the final 15 minutes of the first half and while they did create opportunities, they didn’t really test Ivor Pandur in the City net.
Andre Brooks had the best opportunity but his header at the back stick was somehow cleared by another former Blade in John Egan.
The South Yorkshire outfit continued to dominate the ball after the break, but like the first half, City defended well and restricted the home side to very few clear cut opportunities.
Brooks carved one out on the hour mark but McNair, on in place of the Drameh, snuffed him out before Patrick Bamford missed what was a sitter.
However, the game opened up that little bit more when Lundstram was dismissed for a second yellow. He could have no complaints either, catching Andre Brooks high when already on a booking.
What followed was calamitous for City as they surrendered the lead they had worked so hard to retain in such frustrating fashion.
The first goal came from the penalty spot after three or four players were wrestled to the ground under the nose of the referee. Hamer levelled the scores from the spot.
And, moments later, City’s collapse was complete as Ings was left wide open at the far post to finish with ease.
City drop down to sixth and they now face a nervous wait to see how Wrexham get on at Birmingham City on Sunday.