Hull City need snookers in play-off quest but hope remains with Liam Delap set to return
It was another case of a glorious chance missed by Hull City after being held to a 2-2 draw by play-off rivals Middlesbrough at the MKM Stadium on Wednesday night.
Despite falling a goal behind to Emmanuel Latte Lath’s fourth-minute strike, City recovered brilliantly to lead 2-1 at half-time courtesy of goals from Jaden Philogene and Jean Michael Seri’s first goal in almost two years, but a sweeping counter-attack saw Finn Azaz equalise in the second half for Boro.
he point does little for either side in truth, and though City still have that game in hand to come, the gap remains at six points and games are quickly running out.
This was a cracking game. Everything Stoke wasn’t, particularly after the opening 15 minutes when City were all over the place and went behind. They recovered well and needed to get the third goal when they were on top which in truth, should have arrived. There was plenty of effort, some really good football but ultimately, they’re their own worst enemy.
The Good Friday contest against Stoke was turgid, but this was anything but with both teams going at it to create a really enjoyable game of football. Boro will feel they could have won it, too, especially given some of their late counter-attacks.
Unfortunately, this was another one of those games we’ve seen so many of at home this season. City have played well, been in control, but haven’t been able to see it out and win, and ultimately, that’s been the undercurrent here all season.
Credit to Boro because both of their goals were superbly crafted. The ball for Latte Lath in the fourth minute was good, and his clinical finish was superb, and then the way they went from the edge of their won box to the back of City’s net for the equaliser was a fine counter-attack.
Frustratingly for City, both were avoidable. Ryan Allsop should do better with the first, and there’s so much wrong with the second from Tyler Morton trying an extra touch in the Boro box to Ryan Giles committing on halfway and making a hash of the tackle, and from that moment Rosenior’s side were in bother.
These are the key moments in games we always talk about, the ones that define the outcome and not for the first time this season, the naivety of this side has been their undoing.
Is that it?
City are still in with a shot, albeit a faint one. They’ve got five games left and while there’s hope you have to keep believing. It’s unlikely given their inability to win games at home that they’re suddenly going to overpower Norwich who have been almost faultless in their last eight games at Carrow Road.
The frustration will be that it’s another game at home and another one that has come and gone without victory, despite fighting back to get into a winning position.
The QPR game simply has to be won, there is nothing else you can say. They have to beat Rangers and hope Norwich can slip up at Preston and then take it from there. Help from elsewhere is required, but this is the Championship and at this stage of the season, weird things happen.
Seri’s milestone
It’s been a while since Jean Michael Seri last scored a goal for the Tigers. His home league debut against Bristol City on the opening day of the season in August 2022 to be precise. Mika deserved that goal for his play since returning from AFCON.
The way he’s playing a bit differently within the system, his pressing has been superb and that got him the ball to finish. When he does get chances, some of Mika’s finishing can be a little wayward, shall we say, but this was a class finish and one which should have won the gameLiam Delap is expected to return on Saturday having been training with his teammates since coming back to the club on Monday, and his availability will be a big boost to the Tigers. While Liam Rosenior will be keen not to put too much pressure on the 21-year-old given he’s still learning his trade, and has been out for three months.
