The Tigers close in on the play-offs with a narrow home success
Hull City claimed their first home win over Sheffield United in five attempts and in the process, a first clean sheet since the opening day with a hard-fought 1-0 win.
City had the advantage at the half-time through David Akintola’s first goal for the Tigers half an hour into what was a tight, scrappy contest in difficult conditions.
Akintola’s volley cannoned off the arm of Chiedozie Ogbene and spun into the far corner of Michael Cooper’s net to give the Tigers the lead, but the Tigers needed Ivor Pandur to save a late Harrison Burrows penalty to secure a huge three points.
Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon….
Ivor Pandur: Beaten by Gus Hamer’s effort off the post but had little else to do. Looked better with his feet than on Tuesday. Had a fairly quiet afternoon until the penalty save. Huge moment for him after the start of the season. 9/10
Ryan Giles: Had a tough first half in fairness but stuck to his task well. The clean sheet will do him a power of good. 9/10
Charlie Hughes: Looked more like his old self in the first period, bar one major error he got away with and grew into it. His best performance of the season, certainly since the opening day. 9/10
John Egan: Against his former club and was very good in the first half, heading everything away. A superb performance from him alongside Hughes. 9/10
Lewie Coyle: A really good first period, fired in a couple of superb crosses, including the one for Akintola’s first City goal. Grafted all afternoon. 9/10
Regan Slater: Back in the starting XI against his old club and made a vital block to deny Peck in the opening five minutes, almost scored later in the half and was a real nuisance in the middle of the park. A proper shift from him. 8/10
John Lundstram: Edging closer to his 500th appearance (now on 499) and didn’t last 15 minutes before coming off after a spell of treatment. A big blow to City. 6/10
David Akintola: Opened his account with a volley that looked to be going over before deflecting in to give City a half-time lead. Shanked another second half, but a special moment for him with the winning goal. 7/10
Joe Gelhardt: Plenty of industry. Created a lovely effort for Regan Slater after neat work with McBurnie. Not really his game but no lack of effort. 6/10
Darko Gyabi: In for his full home debut and played behind McBurnie and put in a good shift in the middle of the park. Ran out of legs before coming off. 6/10
Oli McBurnie: A first outing against the Blades since leaving. Struggled to get into the first half so tight was it. His first sight of goal came early in the second, but he couldn’t finish. Booked in the second after an altercation with McGuinness, who was also booked. Came off to a standing ovation for a well-earned rest. 6/10
Subs:
Amir Hadziahmetovic (for Lundstram 14): Having been dropped before the game, was on after 15 minutes to replace the stricken Lundstram. Was neat and tidy on the ball after coming on. Horrific pass almost caused a major problem but Hughes got him out of jail. 6/10
Liam Millar (for Gyabi 61): Set Giles free down the left and it almost created a carbon copy of the equaliser on Tuesday. Always an out ball if he wasn’t used late on. 6/10
Matt Crooks (for Akintola 61): A welcome return to the action for ‘Tree’ and cleared off the line with four minutes left. Grafted in added time like a warrior. 7/10
Semi Ajayi (for McBurnie 81): Like Crooks and Millar over the past few days, great to see the Nigerian defender back on the pitch. Looked anything but match fit and gave away the penalty. 5/10
Enis Destan (for Gelhardt 81): Gave the ball away cheaply a couple of times after coming on. 5/10
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