The Tigers claimed a first win at Deepdale in five years with a deserved win
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
21:55, 20 Jan 2026
Hull City’s Oliver McBurnie celebrates scoring alongside Yu Hirakawa(Image: PA)
In-form Hull City made it three straight away wins with a comprehensive 3-0 success at promotion rivals Preston North End on Tuesday night, to cement their place in the Championship’s top six.
On a gusty night in Lancashire, City went in front 33 minutes in when David Akintola’s powerful run deep into Preston territory saw him deliver a perfect cross for Liam Millar to sweep home. It was 2-0 on the stroke of half-time when Akin Famewo curled in after McBurnie laid it off inside the box.
Any hope of an immediate response at the start of the second half were dealt a major blow when Yu Hirakawa, straight off the bench crossed for Oli McBurnie to overhead kick into the net. Milutin Osmajic was dismissed in added time for butting John Lundstram as North End’s frustrations boiled over.
Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at Deepdale on Tuesday night….
Ivor Pandur: Solid in the first period without much to do. On a difficult pitch, made sure of his kicking all night and when called upon, did what was required. 7/10
Akin Famewo: Got himself his first City goal with a fine finish on the stroke of half-time. Out of position he may have been, however, he was very composed. 8/10
Charlie Hughes: Rampaging all night. Barely put a foot wrong and looked as good as he ever has in a City shirt. Really good display. 8/10
John Egan: Calm and composed in the first period. Harshly booked in the second period after appearing to win the ball fairly. Took a late knock and was replaced. City will hope that’s not serious. 8/10
Lewie Coyle: Dealt really well with the lively Thierry Small in the first period and saw him off. Booked in the second. As he did on Saturday, led by example. 8/10
Regan Slater: Energetic in the middle of the park and the second goal came from his corner. A dominant, driving performance from City’s £50k man. 8/10
Amir Hadziahmetovic: Settled into the game well in the first period, on what was a tough surface. Should have scored from the edge of the box in the second period. 8/10
David Akintola: A return to the starting XI for the Nigerian for the first time since Birmingham away in October, and grabbed a wonderful assist with a lung-bursting run to tee up Millar. Such a shame he had to go off. 8/10
Matt Crooks: Great awareness to free Akintola for City’s opener. Never stopped all night. Plays the game with such quality at times, he makes it look easy. 8/10
Liam Millar: Back on his old stomping ground and got himself a well-taken finish sweeping in from Akintola’s cross. Always a threat and outlet. Made a great chance for himself to make it four but pulled it wide. 8/10
Oli McBurnie: Had the game’s first chance from a tight angle, inches away from a Crooks cross and then teed up Famewo like he did for Joseph at Southampton. Scored his first in five games with a neat overhead finish. Another outstanding performance in both boxes. 9/10
Subs:
Yu Hirakawa (for Akintola 48): Made his debut off the bench barely 24 hours after joining from Bristol City and made an instant impact with his cross finding McBurnie to score. A lovely, exciting cameo. 7.5/10
Joe Gelhardt (for Millar 68): A return after a nine-game absence for the Tigers’ leading scorer. Could have had two off the bench in the closing stages. Great to see him back. 7/10
John Lundstram (for Crooks 68): Another good run out in his return from a long, long period out of action Involved in the flashpoint at the end when he was butted by a player who is no stranger to controversy. 6/10
Joel Ndala (for McBurnie 81): Showed some nice touches after coming on with his side in complete control. 6/10
Cathal McCarthy (for Egan 81): On for one of his heroes in the final stages and did what we’ve come to expect. 6/10
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