The Tigers are one game away from the Premier League after superb away success at The Den
Joe Gelhardt celebrates sending Hull City to Wembley(Image: Ian Tuttle/Shutterstock)
Hull City fans can prepare for their first trip to Wembley Stadium in a decade after Sergej Jakirovic’s heroes claimed a 2-0 play-off semi-final victory against all odds at Millwall. The Tigers are now just one game away from a sensational Premier League return.
Level after Friday night’s first leg stalemate at the MKM Stadium, City had to withstand huge pressure at The Den, which was as hostile as it ever had been, but came through thanks to goals from Mo Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt in a stunning second half display.
City will now face the winner of Southampton or Middlesbrough for a place in the top-flight, and a chance to cap the most incredible season in style.
Belloumi, off the bench for the stricken Kyle Joseph, angled a delightful curling effort midway through the second half to give the Tigers the lead and finally break the deadlock in the tie.
The Algerian’s impact was proving decisive, with him keeping the ball in before exchanging passes with Matt Crooks and racing away before crossing for Joe Gelhardt to slam in the second with just over 10 minutes to go.
Neither side could be separated after a pulsating first period, which saw Ivor Pandur and Anthony Patterson make crucial saves to keep the tie finely poised.
Jakirovic opted to make two changes from Friday night’s first leg stalemate, with Semi Ajayi and Kyle Joseph coming in for Joe Gelhardt and Mo Belloumi, both of those were dropped to the bench. It saw a change in shape, too, with City starting with three central defenders, and Ryan Giles and Lewie Coyle operating as wing-backs. Millwall were unchanged from the first leg.
City’s tactic was clear, to meet fire with fire, and they started really well in the opening 10 minutes. John Egan headed over before Charlie Hughes’ at the back post couldn’t get much on a deep corner and Patterson saved. Defender Egan was then cautioned for a late challenge, but Millwall’s opening was summed up by the free-kick going straight to a man offside.
The away side had done well to quieten the crowd for the first 15 minutes or so, but the hosts were almost in front Ivor Pandur couldn’t hold a ball under his bar, and Egan had to divert away, before Azeez beat Giles and powered straight at the goalkeeper from a tight angle. Jakirovic’s men were finding themselves overloaded at the back, and pinned in for the first time in the game.
Just before the break, Kyle Joseph, so key to City’s pressing game, went down in agony with what looked like a nasty ankle injury after a challenge from Sturge, and had to be helped from the field. Suffice it to say, the home supporters were not overly sympathetic to the forward, based on the abuse he was getting.
As first-half displays go away from home, particularly in the environment they were in, Jakirovic will have been pleased with what he saw from his side.
The second half almost had the perfect start for the Tigers, with Belloumi combining with Slater inside the box to fashion half a chance for McBurnie, but he was blocked brilliantly at the near post. Hughes was booked after fouling Josh Coburn.
Millwall’s first change of the night came just before the hour when Mihailo Ivanovic replaced Ballo, with Barry Bannan and Alfie Doughty arriving shortly after in place of Sturge and De Norroe.
The goal that City deserved finally came with 25 minutes to go when Belloumi cut in off the right flank from a sweeping Crooks ball out to him and curled one past Patterson into the top corner. Jakirovic’s men were in front, and 2,000 City fans were going wild. It was the moment the game had been crying out for, and the Algerian delivered.
On came Joe Gelhardt for Millar, and his impact was immediate. Belloumi did brilliantly to keep the ball in on the far side, Crooks played him in, he raced away before crossing for Gelhardt to steady himself and fire low under Patterson.
Jakirovic made a triple change inside the final 10 minutes, with Lewis Koumas, John Lundstram and Paddy McNair all coming on for McBurnie, Slater and Giles. Langstaff and Cundle were two late changes for the hosts.
The excellent Crooks could have sealed it when he raced away brilliantly, only to see his scooped effort saved by Patterson. ‘Wembley’ was the chant from the away fans, who roared off their side after a dominant second-half display and a fully deserved away victory. May 23, put it in your diary. City have a date with destiny.
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Millwall: Patterson, Sturge, Crama, Cooper, Ballo, Neghli, Azeez, Leonard, Coburn, De Norre, Mazou-Sacko. Subs: Crocombe, McNamara, Mitchell, Ivanovic, Doughty, Langstaff, Watson, Cundle, Bannan.
Hull City: City: Pandur, Giles, Egan, Ajayi, Coyle ©, Hughes, Slater, Crooks, Millar, Joseph, McBurnie: Subs: Phillips, Belloumi, Gelhardt, Koumas, Famewo, Hirakawa, McNair, Dowell, Lundstram
Referee: Sam Barrott
Attendance: (2,174 from Hull City)
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