Sorry Tigers drop out of play-off places as Tractor Boys take points

Pictures courtesy of Hull City

Hull City 0 - 2 Ipswich Town

Sky Bet Championship

MKM Stadium

Attendance: 21,271

By Sam Hawcroft, Hull City Correspondent

Ipswich leapfrogged Hull City in the Championship table after two quick second-half goals – one made by an ex-Tiger, the other scored by one – decided a lacklustre contest at the MKM Stadium.

Sergej Jakirovic made three changes from the frustrating 3–2 defeat at QPR on Saturday – Semi Ajayi replaced John Egan, Darko Gyabi came in for the suspended Matt Crooks, and Joel Ndala started in place of Enis Destan.

It was always likely to be a test against an in-form Ipswich side who had scored eight in their previous two away games, but this was a far more measured contest than perhaps expected – and short on clear chances until the visitors struck twice midway through the second half.

City shaded the early exchanges after surviving a first-minute corner, keeping the ball well but without really testing Christian Walton in goal.

There was a smattering of boos for former fan favourite Jacob Greaves, back at the MKM in Ipswich colours a year-and-a-half after his move to the then newly promoted Premier League club. This guy was universally adored when he was here – booing him like some sort of panto villain just… because he’s now on the opposing side? Give your heads a wobble!

Anyway. In the 12th minute Joe Gelhardt tried his luck from distance, which, had it gone in, would have emulated Kenny McLean’s famous Scotland strike last week (this may be a slight exaggeration, granted), but it flew over. The game itself remained cautious, both sides cancelling each other out.

A promising counter followed in the 18th minute when Darko Gyabi released Joel Ndala on the left, only for the youngster to take it too far. A minute later Ndala, making a carbon-copy advance, thought he’d earned a corner – as did the South Stand – but the referee felt otherwise.

Twenty minutes gone and still little to separate the sides. Ipswich’s Jens Cajuste picked up a booking for a cynical foul on Ajayi near halfway, and from the resulting play Regan Slater floated in a hopeful ball – was it a cross, or a pop at goal? – that Walton easily claimed.

City came alive around the 28-minute mark when Ndala’s shot from close range deflected off the post and was then well saved by Walton – easily the best chance so far. Moments later Gelhardt went into the book – harshly, it could be argued – for an aerial challenge on Greaves.

Then came another golden opportunity as Kyle Joseph, fed by Slater, dragged his effort just wide from the edge of the box – his frustration summed up by a somersault of annoyance rather than celebration. You couldn’t help feeling that Oli McBurnie, still sidelined by injury until at least next month, would have buried that.

Nevertheless, City were holding their own before Ipswich rallied a bit. Kasey McAteer blazed the Tractor Boys’ first real shot wide on 36 minutes, which got their sold-out away following going somewhat. Fair play to them for making the long journey from the land of interminable A-roads on a Tuesday night.

Charlie Hughes made a vital block on McAteer soon after, before Gelhardt drew another save from Walton, and Gyabi then ballooned one into the back of the South Stand.

Four minutes into the second half, Gelhardt wriggled into the box and went down under pressure – there were loud appeals for a penalty, especially from the fans in the North Stand, but nothing doing from the referee. Ryan Giles was booked soon after for a foul on Marcelino Nunez, whose resulting free-kick found McAteer, but his header flew over.

The hour mark brought more urgency from Ipswich and more irritation from the home crowd when Greaves tangled with Joseph in the area and again got the decision. Ironic cheers followed when the ex-City man was then penalised for fouling Gelhardt moments later.

Jakirovic turned to his bench in the 64th minute, sending on Enis Destan and Mohammed Belloumi – warmly welcomed on his second return from injury – for Ndala and Amir Hadziahmetovic. Soon after came louder jeers as two more familiar faces, Chuba Akpom and Jaden Philogene, joined the action for Ipswich.

City had barely adjusted when Philogene made an immediate impact, floating in a high, hanging ball that found Nunez unmarked. Hughes leapt and missed it, and Nunez was free to power a header across Ivor Pandur into the far corner. 71 minutes – the deadlock broken at last.

Minutes later it was two. From Nunez’s corner, Pandur bundled a close-range effort from Dara O’Shea, and Akpom popped up… hilariously, obviously, unmarked, to stab in from just a yard out.

Apropos of panto villains, it really was a proper “he’s behind you!” moment which seemed to take place in slow-motion. Which would all be very funny indeed if it wasn’t such appalling defending costing the Tigers the game. City protested for offside – but the flag stayed down, and it was pretty clear from replays that Giles at the near post was playing him on.

Philogene then struck the right post with a fierce strike as Ipswich threatened to run away with it and City’s race was clearly run. At the other end, Gyabi’s effort floored O’Shea, who took it in the face and diverted it behind for a corner, but it was too little, too late. Gelhardt’s late effort went straight at Walton and by stoppage time many had already made for the exits.

So, it was a disappointing night for the Tigers, who have gone off the boil considerably after the international break. And it was a shame they couldn’t deliver a gift-wrapped three points on club legend Ken Wagstaff’s birthday.

Yet tonight City were, of course, missing the likes of McBurnie, Millar, Lundstram and Crooks. It’s a measure of how the Tigers have improved this season that fans are disheartened by this recent dip to eighth – but City must now make sure this dip doesn’t become a full-on tumble down the league. Interesting times ahead…