A big home crowd were rewarded with an entertaining, nervy victory
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
14:41, 08 Nov 2025
Hull City celebrate goal scored by Hull City forward Joe Gelhardt
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Hull City celebrate goal scored by Hull City forward Joe Gelhardt(Image: SmartFrame/Pro Sports Images)
A second half stunner from Joe Gelhardt saw Hull City come from behind to beat Portsmouth 3-2 at the MKM Stadium and ensure they remain firmly in the play-off race going into the final international break of the calendar year.
City passed up two glorious chances inside the first nine minutes and were duly punished shortly after when Terry Devlin's volley deflected in off Kyle Joseph 17 minutes in. City responded, though, and were level when Enis Destan powered in first time from Lewie Coyle's near post cross.
Joseph did score before the break when his fine header made it 2-1, but City's defensive frailties were exposed again in added time at the end of the half when Devlin grabbed his second. A much quieter second half was lit up when Gelhardt notched his seventh goal of the season in style to win the game.
Here's how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon....
Ivor Pandur: Should have caught the initial free-kick before the first goal. Nowhere near the second. Made some big claims late on when Pompey were pushing. 7/10
Ryan Giles: A decent first period from the full-back until he lost the run of Devlin who eased into the box to head in the second. Did a job for the team second, and even managed a shot that landed in the River Humber. 7/10
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Charlie Hughes: Involved in the equaliser with some neat footwork that freed Lewie Coyle. Poor positioning for the second but made up for it in the second with a stunning header off the line late on. 7/10
John Egan: Could do little about either goal which were poor from a defensive point of view, collectively. Headed and kicked away in the second when Pompey came on strong. 7/10
Lewie Coyle: A return to the starting XI having been on the bench in midweek and claimed an assist when he crossed for Destan to score the equaliser. A tough gig against Josh Murphy and had to stick in there. 7/10
Regan Slater: Lovely touch and pass to feed Joseph in the first few minutes and was probably the Tigers' best player in the first half and that continued in the second. Was superb. Deserved his standing ovation. 8.5/10
Amir Hadziahmetovic: Back in the side after being dropped to the bench at Derby, and did well up until the final seconds of the half. Won the ball well, but held onto it for too long and lost it, and from that, Pompey scored their second. Needs to learn quickly that he will not get the time on the ball he wants in this league. 6/10
Matt Crooks: Operated in the number 10 and was steady enough in the first half. Was always on hand to keep things moving when needed. Showed his vast experience throughout. 7/10
Joe Gelhardt: Should have scored nine minutes in but dragged his shot wide of the near post. His corner set-up Joseph to score the second goal. Scored a quite wonderful goal to put City back into the lead. 8/10
Kyle Joseph: Moved back to the left of the front three and found himself in on goal early on but saw his drive saved by the goalkeeper. Unfortunately for him, the opening goal cannoned in off him. Glanced a header wide when he really should have scored. Kept plugging away and got his goal with a fine header to make it 2-1. His display was typified by his block on the goalkeeper in added time. What a shift. 8/10
Enis Destan: A first start for the Turkish striker and a first Tigers goal to level it up when he turned in Lewie Coyle's cross. Worked hard up on his own, didn't get a huge amount of service aside from the goal. Pleasing display. 7.5/10
Subs:
Joel Ndala (for Destan 73): Couldn't get into the game as much as he'd have liked in the final stages with City hanging on. Did come close to making it 4-2. 6/10
Darko Gyabi (for Amir 73): Added some valuable energy in the final moments when the Tigers needed to hang in there and defend after the third goal. 6/10
Semi Ajayi (for Gelhardt 85): Sent on to add extra protection and won a couple of vital headers when needed. 6/10
Akin Famewo (for Slater 90): Thrown on the final four minutes as City tried to shut up shop and hold on to what they had. 6/10
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