Hull City Edge Portsmouth in Five-Goal Spectacle
In-form Hull City continued their impressive run in the Championship, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory against a determined Portsmouth side at the MKM Stadium. The win, sealed by a moment of magic from loan star Joe Gelhardt, lifts Hull to fifth place in the table, firmly establishing them in the play-off conversation.
Gelhardt the Hero in End-to-End Encounter
The match was a breathless affair from the outset. Portsmouth struck first, with Terry Devlin seeing his effort take a deflection to beat the Hull goalkeeper. The home side responded with characteristic resilience, as Enis Destan equalised to get Hull back on level terms. The turnaround was completed when Kyle Joseph found the net to give the Tigers the lead.
However, Portsmouth refused to lie down. Just before the half-time whistle, Devlin was on the scoresheet again, powerfully heading in a brilliant cross from Josh Murphy to make it 2-2. The second half was a tense, cagey affair, with both sides searching for a winner. It arrived in the 79th minute, courtesy of a moment of supreme composure from Joe Gelhardt. The Leeds United loanee, who has been in scintillating form, latched onto a long ball from Charlie Hughes, expertly dinked the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Josef Bursik, and sent the home fans into raptures. This was his fifth goal in his last six appearances.
Championship Round-Up: Derby March On, Preston Gift a Point
Elsewhere in the Championship, Derby County continued their magnificent run under John Eustace with a 2-1 victory away at Blackburn Rovers. This result marked Eustace's first return to Ewood Park since his departure. Carlton Morris, in red-hot form, nodded Derby into a 19th-minute lead—his sixth goal in four games. Patrick Agyemang doubled the advantage with a powerful header right on the stroke of half-time. Although Yuki Ohashi converted a 66th-minute penalty for Blackburn, Derby held firm against a late onslaught to secure their fifth consecutive win.
At The Den, a costly error from Preston North End goalkeeper Daniel Iversen meant his side had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Millwall. Preston had taken the lead through Michael Smith, who capitalised on a mistake by Camiel Neghli. The tables turned in the 36th minute when Iversen completely miskicked a throw-back from defender Liam Lindsay, presenting Millwall's Ivanovic with an open net to tap in the equaliser.
On Friday night, Scott Twine's excellent free-kick earned Bristol City a 1-1 draw at Watford, denying the Hornets a fifth straight home victory.
With this crucial win, Hull City have now suffered just one defeat in their last eight games, showcasing the remarkable consistency that has propelled them up the league standings. The battle for promotion is heating up, and Hull have firmly positioned themselves as serious contenders.
