Hull City’s perfect penalty shoot-out seals rare Carabao Cup success

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For the first time since 2020, the Tigers are in the third round of the League Cup

Hull City finally won a League Cup game for the first time in six years by coming through a penalty shoot-out win against Stoke City, after the game finished 1-1.

Five perfect spot-kicks and a save from Dillon Phillips were enough to make sure the Premier League side are safely through into Wednesday night’s third round draw, with Mo Belloumi calmly slotting in the winning kick to seal a 5-4 win.

City fell behind just before half-time when Tigers transfer target Sorba Thomas picked out Robert Bozenik at the back post to head past Dillon Phillips, though that lead lasted for all of about five minutes when Kieran Dowell stroked in a lovely effort from just inside the box.

Boss Jakirovic made 11 changes from Man Utd, handing debuts to Matt Targett, Jens Hjerto-Dahl, Lucas Herrington and Lucas Gourna-Douath.

The Tigers had the first effort on goal, with Gourna brilliantly evading a challenge midway inside his own half, before feeding Kieran Dowell, who found David Akintola, on his first start since January, forcing Josh Griffiths to save from a tight angle. City were having the better of things, and Jens Hjerto-Dahl saw a curling effort well saved.

As the half wore on, the Potters grew in confidence, and Thomas was at the heart of it once again, with his cross landing on the head of Bozenik, who got a yard on Paddy McNair to head past the stranded Phillips.

City responded quickly and were level, when Millar rolled it to Kieran Dowell to crunch an effort into the top corner from just inside the box. Akintola had a glorious chance to put the visitors in front on the hour, when Millar sent him away, and as he rounded the goalkeeper, he could only find the side-netting.

By that point, Hidemasa Morita was on for his debut and showed real quality in his touches and movement, before Elliot Stroud and Mo Belloumi were introduced in place of Targett and Omur. Neither side were able to find a winner and so it went to penalty kicks.

Morita, Paddy McNair, Elliot Stroud, Liam Millar and Mo Belloumi scored for City, while Dillon Phillips saved from George Hirst, allowing Belloumi the chance to slot in the winning kick.

• Akintola and Hjerto-Dahl come close in the first half, forcing good saves from Josh Griffiths
• The hosts go in front when Thomas picks out Bozenik to head in the opener, five minutes before half-time
• Kieran Dowell responds moments later with a terrific strike to level it up
• Akintola misses when through on goal just shy of the hour mark, moments after Hidemasa Morita came on for his Tigers debut, one of a host of chances for him on the night
• Mo Belloumi and Elliot Stroud were introduced late on
• City’s line-up showed eleven changes from the Man Utd game with first starts for Matt Targett, Lucas Herrington, Jens Hjerto-Dahl and Lucas Gourna-Douath. Jakirovic reverted to his more usual 4-3-3 formation against the Championship side
• Phillips, Drameh, McNair, Herrington, Targett, Gourna, Hjerto-Dahl, Dowell, Omur, Akintola. Subs: Tzolakis, Giles, Morita, Egan, Stroud, Belloumi, Mendy, Slater, Sellars-Fleming.
• Sorba Thomas started despite firm interest from the Tigers and a rejected bid by the Potters
• Referee: John Busby
• Attendance: 7,141 (1,256 from City)
• The Tigers are in Wednesday night’s draw, which will be made about 10:30pm
• City now return to Premier League action at Coventry City on Saturday afternoon

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