City earned their biggest win of the season against in-form Norwich
Oli McBurnie celebrates scoring Hull City’s second against Norwich City(Image: Greig Cowie/Shutterstock )
Oli McBurnie’s brace sealed a 2-1 win for Hull City and a place in the Championship play-offs on a dramatic final day of the season.
Despite a noisy home backing, the hosts started nervously and were behind after 26 minutes when Mohamed Toure had space to volley past Ivor Pandur.
City’s response was instant, with Joe Gelhardt fouled inside the penalty box, with Oli McBurnie stepping up to roll in the equaliser in what was a crazy two minutes amid a half where the hosts were very much second best.
The Tigers roared in front midway through the second period to raise the MKM Stadium roof when Matt Crooks headed down into the path of McBurnie to tuck into net, and that was enough with Wrexham and Derby County failing to win, to set up a semi-final with Millwall on Friday night, before the return in London next Monday.
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Jakirovic made three changes from the side beaten at The Valley last weekend, with Charlie Hughes replacing Semi Ajayi and with Eliot Matazo sidelined with another ACL injury, Regan Slater made his return to the starting XI for the first time since injuring his ankle in the win over Sheffield Wednesday back in March. Mo Belloumi came in for John Lundstram, with Crooks dropping back into midfield and Joe Gelhardt playing behind Oli McBurnie.
Under the terms of his FA suspension after his red card at Leicester City, Jakirovic was forced to watch the game from the stands and was not allowed to join in with the post-match lap of appreciation.
Amid a raucous backing from home supporters, buoyed by news of Middlesbrough’s early goal at Wrexham, City were finding it difficult to cope with Norwich’s fluidity. As we saw at The Valley, a lack of challenge allowed Kellen Fisher time and space to drive from distance and force a smart low save from Ivor Pandur. Jakirovic’s men looked edgy.
That edginess felt like a goal would follow, and it did. A simple ball over the top found Mohamed Toure in space sand he volleyed past Pandur. It had been coming. What would be City’s response?
The perfect one. Gelhardt raced into the box from the restart, was sent tumbling and referee Smith pointed to the spot. McBurnie rolled the penalty kick down the middle, and the hosts were level.
News of Wrexham’s second to lead Boro started to filter through to the MKM as Egan’s lofted cross found the head of Crooks who headed at Vladan Kovacevic, who saved brilliantly, as the home crowd rose again after Boro responded instantly to make it 2-2 in North Wales in what was turning out to be a predictably chaotic affair.
City were still being cut to pieces by the visitors, who were dominant in the middle and out wide, but mercifully, the Tigers were able to get to half-time still on terms.
Norwich made a double change at the break, with Paris Maghoma and Liam Gibbs on for Forson and Ahmed. Paddy McNair was also on for Egan at the start of the second half.
The hosts gradually worked their way into the second period and were a wonderful save away from going in front, when Ryan Giles’ free-kick was diverted towards goal. Down to his left, Kovacevic made his second terrific save in the game to thwart the Tigers.
On came Kieran Dowell and Kyle Joseph for Belloumi and Gelhardt, as roars signalled the fact that Sheffield United had levelled at Pride Park.
The roof was lifted off the MKM Stadium when Crooks nodded into the path of McBurnie to tuck into the net with just over 20 minutes to go. For the first time on the final day, City were back inside the top six.
Lewis Koumas replaced Millar inside the final 10 minutes, as City held strong. Wrexham’s game had finished, City held on and with one final claim of a Norwich corner from Ivor Pandur, there went the whistle.
City had done it. The season will go on. The Tigers finish inside the top six and will face Millwall over two legs in the play-off semi-final.
Hull City: Pandur, Giles, Hughes, Egan, Coyle (c), Slater, Crooks, Millar, Gelhardt, Belloumi, McBurnie. Subs: Phillips, Lundstram, Ajayi, Hirakawa, Joseph, Gyabi, Dowell, Koumas, McNair.
Norwich City: Kovacevic; Stacey, McConville, Cordoba, Fisher; Mattsson (C), Wright; Forson, Slimane, Ahmed; Toure. Subs: Grimshaw, Darling, Gibbs, Maghoma, Field, Schlupp, Kvistgaarden, Springlett, Mundle-Smith.
Referee: Josh Smith
Attendance: 24,616 (approx 2,230 from Norwich City)
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