Hull City came from behind to secure a vital 2-1 victory at home to Preston North End on Easter Monday.
A brace of penalties from Joe Gelhardt saw the Tigers reign victorious on their 550th competitive game at the MKM Stadium.
Rubén Sellés made four changes to his starting XI to the one that faced Swansea City last time out. Steven Alzate replaces Gustavo Puerta in the midfield, while Abu Kamara, Nordin Amrabat and Kyle Joseph came in for Lincoln, Kasey Palmer and João Pedro.
Ex-Tiger Robbie Brady caused his former employers some early problems as his left-footed strike deflected wide off Sean McLoughlin, before the winger played in a great ball through for Milutin Osmajić, but the striker was denied by a sliding John Egan as Ivor Pandur gathered the rebound.
At the other end, David Cornell’s loose pass was intercepted by Regan Slater, who in-turn played through Amrabat. The Moroccan international looked to loft the ball over the onrushing Cornell, who smothered the ball well one-on-one.
Possession
56%Shots
16Shots On Target
2Corners
6Fouls
80
0
Cards
3
0
Osmajić hit the side netting from Mads Frøkaer-Jensen’s pass before good link-up play between Lewie Coyle and Abu Kamara down the right flank would see Slater have his effort blocked.
Preston took the lead on 36 minutes from a set-play as a corner by captain Ben Whiteman fell kindly for Lewis Gibson to poke the ball home from close range.
The Tigers searched for an equaliser immediately as McLoughlin headed wide from a free-kick delivery before the left-back was denied by Cornell with a low left-footed shot. The Welshman produced another stunning save to deny City as Coyle’s well-struck volley first time was parried away acrobatically.
In the second half, City came searching for an equaliser immediately as Slater’s header deflected wide from Coyle’s delivery. The Tigers were awarded a penalty in the 49th minute as Gelhardt received a high boot from Frøkjaer-Jensen. The striker stepped up and, despite Cornell getting a glove to it, scored to level the scoreline.
Preston looked to go back in-front, but great blocks by John Egan and Charlie Hughes denied both Osmajić and Whiteman.
After the hour mark, City were awarded another penalty. McLoughlin’s low drive was brilliantly saved by Cornell. Joseph challenged for the rebound, with Stefán Teitur Þórðarson dragging the forward down. Gelhardt stepped up again and sent Cornell the wrong way to score.
In the latter stages of the game, with Preston searching for an equaliser, the Tigers countered with Joseph sprinting away. Playing the ball across for Mason Burstow, the substitute’s first-time strike was blocked by Andrew Hughes.
Attendance: 22,013
Hull City: Pandur, Coyle, Egan, Hughes, McLoughlin, Alzate (Puerta 60'), Slater, Kamara (Burstow 78'), Gelhardt (Jones 87'), Amrabat (Lincoln 78'), Joseph (João Pedro 87')
Subs: Vaughan, Drameh, Lo-Tutala, Palmer.
PNE: Cornell, Storey, Lindsay, Gibson (Evans 77'), Kesler-Hayden, Thórdarson, Whiteman, Brady, Meghoma (Hughes 58'), Frökjaer-Jensen (Riis 82'), Osmajic
Subs: Porteous, Bauer, Kamara, Mawene, Carrol, Stowell
Extended highlights of Hull City 2-1 Preston North End will be available on Tigers Plus soon!
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