City hopes are still alive in play-off race
LONG-AWAITED HOME WIN IS TIMELY
Ozan Tufan’s stunning strike set Hull City well on their way to a deserved three points against QPR on Saturday to keep alive their slim hopes of securing a play-off place. Goals from Fabio Carvalho – his eighth in 16 games – and Jaden Philogene’s third goal in as many games sealed a deserved 3-0 success for the Tigers, who secured just a second home win of 2024 with a stylish, clinical performance.
The Tigers looked to have been closing the gap on Norwich until their 86th-minute winner at Preston kept them six points clear, though they have played a game more than Liam Rosenior’s men.
Here, the Mail looks back on a job well done.
That’s more like it
City’s form at home hasn’t been great. Their issues at home can wait for the post-mortem next month, but for now, we can give praise for the way in which the players went about their task against Rangers.
After the iffy opening when the visitors forced a save from Ryan Allsop inside a minute, the Tigers took control and were 2-0 up before the half-hour.
In truth, it could have been a fair bit more than just two, but the key thing was that the second goal followed and then the third.
They took the game away from the visitors who were only able to rally once the game was gone, and to their credit, City kept them at arm’s length for the most part, albeit with one or two nervy moments.
This was the type of punchy, slick and ultimately clinical performance at the MKM we’ve not seen enough and while it may come too late for the play-offs, it should set the standard going into next season if ultimately the Tigers are to remain a Championship side.
Delap’s return
There was a huge roar when his name was read out before kick-off, an even bigger one when he went to warm-up and then a huge crescendo of noise when Liam Delap came onto the pitch at the expense of Tufan, who had deservedly collected a standing ovation.
You can see what City have missed in his absence, that ability to carry the ball up the pitch and put defenders on their backsides.
On another day, his 20-odd-minute cameo could have seen him score and collect an assist.
His goalbound lob over Asmir Begovic was cleared off the line, and then his clever clip to the back post was almost on a plate for Adama Traore before it was headed away.
It’s so good to have him back and whatever happens in the remaining four games, he’ll be a big asset.
And, he’s only human. Hearing 20,000 people chanting his name and calling for Acun Ilicali to sign him permanently will have made him feel 50ft tall.
Terrific Tufan
The Turkish international has been getting better and better in recent weeks. His quality has never been in doubt but his fitness and consistency have been, but throughout the campaign, Tufan has been much more in tune with what Rosenior wants.
His goal was sublime, ‘class’ as QPR boss Marti Cifuentes described it, but so was his pressing back, his willingness to run and chase, to tackle and then the presence of mind to play clever little passes as we saw for Carvalho’s goal. On his day, Tufan is a joy to watch and at his best, is one of the top players in this league.
The relationship he’s developed with Carvalho and Omur has been really good and will only get better.
Clean sheets
It’s been an ongoing problem, the lack of shut-outs and in the second half, Rosenior’s side had to work hard for it given the way QPR chased a goal and way back into it. Keeping them out will give the defensive unit as much pleasure as the quality of the three goals their side scored.
Given the stick Allsop has been subjected to, much of it undeserved, it will have done wonders for his confidence, too. The save he made inside a minute was important, even not overly difficult for a Championship keeper but needed dealing with.
Getting back to being tight at the back, giving nothing away is vitally important and if there is to be late drama in the season then they’ll need to keep that going.
Still alive
For much of the afternoon, it looked like Rosenior’s side would be closing the gap on Norwich to four points with that game in hand until they snatched a late winner at Preston.
As it is, the gap remains at six and the Canaries look well on course to take sixth place owing to their form.
All City can do is keep it rolling until it’s no longer possible. Next up is Watford and they know they must go there and win against a rejuvenated Hornets under Tom Cleverley.
What this win coupled with results elsewhere has done is put City back in the box seat, they’ve gone back to seventh and if anyone is going to catch Norwich, it looks like being them.