The Tigers made it 10 away wins for the season to return to winning ways
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
22:39, 10 Mar 2026
Lewis Koumas of Hull City celebrates scoring(Image: Phil Oldham/Shutterstock)
Sergej Jakirovic was full of praise for the way in which his Hull City side bounced back from successive defeats against Ipswich Town and Millwall to beat play-off rivals Wrexham 2-1 at The Racecourse on Tuesday night.
City deserved to be 2-0 up going into the final 20 minutes, thanks to a stunning Joe Gelhardt free-kick in the first half and then Lewis Koumas’ deft header just after the hour.
Things could have been more comfortable for City had Gelhardt scored the penalty he won moments after his delightful strike in the first period.
The Tigers had to survive a nervy ending after Nathan Broadhead tapped in from close range after the visitors fell asleep with 16 minutes to go, but they avoided any repeat of the Carabao Cup chaos back in August to see out a vital victory.
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“It’s a very important three points, a very big victory against Wrexham, who are a very good team,” the Croatian told Hull Live.
“They have already shown all season they are playing good football, especially at home. They are very dangerous. You never know here if it’s 2-3, 3-0 because we had one experience from back in the summer in the EFL Cup.
“Maybe we could have scored to make it 3-0. Maybe it’s a penalty, but OK, this is football. Sometimes you miss, sometimes you score.
“Credit to the lads because I think they played a very good game. In football, the most dangerous result is 2-0. They create some difficulties, especially with these crosses from the left side.
“Also, their right full-back (Kabore), when I came on the pitch, he’s a very good player. We don’t have a natural left full-back.
“This is the reason why we changed, later with Cody Drameh going there and Regan Slater on the right full-back, because we don’t have any other solutions.
“In the last 10 minutes and added time, it’s very important that we defend. We can control possession better. Not be afraid to play, to kick the ball, drive the ball past each other. You can’t just kick the ball away. This is not the way, but in the end, we took three very important points.”
On the penalty, Jakirovic admits he would rather the player who is fouled not take the spot kick, but says he’s prepared to leave it up to the players to sort out on the pitch.
“God knows, because I don’t watch penalties, and I saw that Oli (McBurnie) had had the ball,” he said of the spot kick. “And then somebody missed the penalty, and they told me it was Joffo (Gelhardt).
“I didn’t see that. In fact, they agreed with each other, I think. If he scores, everything will be fine, but it’s football. I have my rules about penalties. If it’s foul on you, don’t shoot, but this is just me.”
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