Sergej Jakirovic's men were more than a match for the league leaders
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
21:58, 06 Apr 2026
Carl Rushworth and Matt Grimes compete with Matt Crooks
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Carl Rushworth and Matt Grimes compete with Matt Crooks(Image: Greig Cowie/Shutterstock)
Hull City claimed a deserved point against runaway leaders Coventry City to maintain their bid to secure a top six finish, drawing 0-0 with the Sky Blues for the second time this season.
City roared out of the traps early on, backed by a noisy home crowd and came close to getting in front through Joe Gelhardt's rasping drive, which was inches over the bar. John Egan's effort was heading in before Liam Kitching blocked brilliantly to spare the blushes of ex-Tigers loanee Carl Rushworth, as City were forced into another blank against Frank Lampard's team.
The Tigers had moments where they could have won it, but were deservedly applauded off after a gritty, organised and well-disciplined display that keeps them inside the top six with just five games to go.
Boss Jakirovic made five changes to the side which drew at Oxford United on Good Friday, with Ivor Pandur, John Egan, Toby Collyer, Amir Hadziahmetovic and Liam Millar coming in for Dillon Phillips, Charlie Hughes, John Lundstram, Kyle Joseph and Mo Belloumi, all of whom dropped to the bench where they were joined by fit-again Matty Jacob. The change in midfield saw Matt Crooks pushed into the number 10 role in support of Oli McBurnie.
For Collyer, it was his first start since arriving on loan from Manchester United in January, with Mo Belloumi rested in a bid to preserve his comeback from a hamstring injury, and he was superb in the first period, winning his duels and looking to get on the ball. Very neat and tidy.
Vibrant City started on the front foot, with a well-worked corner finding Drameh to see a shot blocked, and after McBurnie was given a rare foul inside the visitors' half, Coyle raced in down the left.
He pulled it back just behind Millar in front of the goal, Crooks touched it to Drameh to drive over from the edge of the box. Gelhardt then went close, driving over after a switch from Liam Millar.
The hosts were playing well, and almost took the lead when ex-City goalkeeper Carl Rushworth fumbled a cross inside his box, and it fell to John Egan, who thought he'd scored, only to find Liam Kitching with a stunning block, which would have capped a wonderful opening 20 minutes.
Lampard's Premier League-bound side worked their way into the game and loosely threatened without ever really testing Pandur, with the break probably coming at a good time for the hosts.
Coyle was the first to collect a card early in the second half after finally wrestling Sakamoto down at the second attempt. Jakirovic was booked for something he said after Gelhardt was penalised for a tight offside. Amir then raced away, before being dragged back by Matt Grimes.
Jack Rudoni and Ellis Simms were on for Torp and Wright after 64 minutes as the game went from end-to-end, with Egan playing cheerleader to whip up the crowd.
Just under 15 minutes were left when Jakirovic made a triple change, bringing on Belloumi, Lundstram and Koumas for Collyer, who was given a deserved standing ovation, Millar and Gelhardt. Joseph was then on for Crooks in the closing stages.
McBurnie looped a header over in stoppage time, as the points were shared. A standing ovation from the home supporters was fully deserved, and on they go to Bramall Lane.
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Hull City: Pandur, Coyle, Egan, Ajayi, Drameh, Collyer, Crooks, Millar, Gelhardt, Amir, McBurnie. Subs: Phillips, Hughes, Lundstram, Belloumi, Jacob, Joseph, Dowell, Koumas, McNair.
Coventry City: Rushworth; van Ewijk, Latibeaudiere, Kitching, Dasilva; Onyeka, Grimes; Sakamoto, Torp, Mason-Clark, Wright. Subs: Wilson (GK), Woolfenden, Bidwell, Eccles, Markelo, Rudoni, Simms, Esse, Allen.
Referee: David Webb
Attendance: 22,507 (2,298 away)
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