The Tigers claimed a ninth home win of an impressive campaign and return to form in style
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
09:00, 25 Feb 2026Updated 11:37, 25 Feb 2026
Oli McBurnie scored Hull City’s second against Derby County(Image: Alfie Cosgrove/News Images)
Sergej Jakirovic wanted a reaction to three poor home results, and he certainly got that, as his Hull City side beat Derby County 4-2 in a thriller at the MKM Stadium.
An early Callum Elder own goal, and three brilliantly taken finishes from Oli McBurnie, John Egan and Lewis Koumas put the seal on a deserved victory which cements the Tigers’ spot inside the top six.
It wasn’t all plain sailing, though, against the stodgy Rams, and the manner of the two goals gifted to the visitors will cause the gaffer some concern.
He will, however, be delighted to have flexed their muscle with one of their most important victories, and here, City reporter Barry Cooper looks back on a night to remember….
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A big night to kick-start the season
It’s been a difficult couple of weeks for City. Their performances and results have not been anywhere near the level required, but by hook or crook, they dragged themselves back into some form.
Derby is a horrible team to play against, and at times they were bullied by Patrick Agyemang, but recovered and showed the fight and character that has been the hallmark of their season.
This result feels like a big one. It puts nine points between themselves and the Rams, and it cements their spot inside the top six. More importantly, it stops the rot at home and gives them confidence going to Portsmouth and then Ipswich.
As good as the night was, and it was all about winning, the injury situation and another red card for Marko Salatovic will have soured things a little.
McBurnie’s brilliance
As performances go, this was right up there. He led the line like the leader he is. Involved in the first goal, scored the second with a stunning piece of movement and finish. His calm lay-off for John Egan to spin and score the third was class.
Not just those big moments, but his movement, laying it off, holding up play and occupying defenders was everything you’d want from your centre-forward, and City played to his strengths, getting players around him.
Once again, he got absolutely nothing from a referee on the night, who was woefully short of the standard a game like this deserved, but he kept at it, and his standing ovation in the closing stages when he came off was absolutely deserved.
A ray of light, or it was
It’s been a season filled with injury nightmares for the Tigers, having been without key players throughout the season. It’s been well-documented that Jakirovic has been unable to name a fully fit squad at any point since the campaign began.
There was, however, some positivity before the game with Charlie Hughes coming back and Matt Crooks named on the bench, though he didn’t get on.
Semi Ajayi and Toby Collyer are closing in on returns, and Eliot Matazo is edging closer to making his first appearance in a year when he turns out for the Under-21s in the near future.
Things were looking up until Ryan Giles, chasing back, popped his hamstring and looked as distraught as he trudged off. Having never had a muscle injury in his career, he’s had two in the space of as many months.
There’s also the sad news that Yu Hirakawa is out for the season, and you can’t help but feel sorry for the manager. They cannot catch a break.
On the road
City now have back-to-back away games following that run of five consecutive home outings, and that may well come as a relief given their recent form on the road, though they’ll head to the South Coast buoyed by a fine home victory against one of the chasing pack.
Going to Portsmouth this weekend will be difficult, of course, given their position in the table, but it will hold no fear for the Tigers, and then attention will turn to Portman Road.
Next Tuesday’s trek to Suffolk is huge, and a game that will suit the Tigers, given the hosts will dominate the ball and be keen to come at City, something they relish.
A welcome break for the pitch
There are a couple of days now until Hull FC play their next game against York in the Super League, and then the pitch will have a welcome break. Eight days at this stage of the year are absolutely crucial.
That should see the pitch given a bit of time to recover, ready for next weekend’s early kick-off against play-off rivals Millwall at the MKM Stadium.
From then, it’ll be given even more breathing space with no games on it until City host relegated Sheffield Wednesday on March 22, with FC playing Leeds Rhinos the following day.
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