Hull City Vs Derby County: Hull win 4-2 as late Egan and Koumas goals seal it

Hull City secured a 4-2 victory over play-off rivals Derby County at the MKM Stadium, a result that matters for promotion hopes and shifts the standings as both teams battle for form. hull city vs derby county saw late strikes from John Egan and Lewis Koumas turn a frantic contest in Hull's favour.

Late strikes from Egan and Koumas turn the game

John Egan scored his first goal since September to put Hull back in front, finishing off a well-worked passing move that broke the deadlock in the second half. Lewis Koumas sealed the win after coming on as a substitute; one account notes he scored two minutes after his introduction, while another records the fourth goal as coming five minutes from time. Both second-half goals — from Egan and Koumas — earned the Tigers the three points.

First-half fireworks: Elder own goal and Oli McBurnie double

The match produced four first-half goals. Hull initially took the lead when Amir Hadziahmetovic's swinging corner rebounded off Callum Elder into his own net; the own goal came against Elder's former side. Craig Forsyth levelled for Derby with a cool side-footed finish — described in one account as coming seven minutes after the opener and in another as coming after 17 minutes — before Oli McBurnie restored Hull's lead with a brilliant finish inside the box, his 13th goal of the campaign. Sammie Szmodics then drew Derby level again three minutes before half-time thanks to a cross from Patrick Agyemang from the right.

Substitutions, errors and defensive moments that mattered

Callum Elder was at fault more than once: after the own goal he was culpable for a reckless cross-field pass that was cut out by Joe Gelhardt and was replaced at half-time. Ivor Pandur reacted to a danger only to paw the ball into the path of Craig Forsyth for Derby's equaliser. Ryan Giles and Liam Millar were credited as architects of the opening goal, with Giles attempting to catch Josh Vickers at his near post. Patrick Agyemang, the USA international, was a constant threat and nearly made it 2-1 when he struck just over the crossbar.

Hull City Vs Derby County: standings, form and what the result changes

The win keeps Hull six points behind Middlesbrough, who occupy the top two positions, and saw the Tigers leapfrog Millwall into fourth. Hull ended a three-game winless run, though another account described them as having lost their last two league games; the victory consolidated their place in the Championship play-offs. Derby have now lost three of their last four and sit six points away from the play-off spots, and the result handed John Eustace's side back-to-back defeats in the league.

Managers, the pitch and injury concerns after a nervy night

Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic praised his players for a team effort, saying they were pragmatic because of the pitch, aggressive in challenges and that he only cared about taking the three points rather than the impression of the performance. Jakirovic also expressed frustration with the referee, Adam Herczeg, noting he booked Patrick Agyemang from the first minute and saying Craig Forsyth's goal came from an offside position and that the official lost control in the second half. Derby manager John Eustace said he was disappointed to lose, praised his players' effort, and said the side created unbelievable chances and on another night could have scored five or six. Hull also lost Ryan Giles to a hamstring problem; Jakirovic confirmed Giles will be assessed after limping off with what looked like a recurrence of a recent hamstring issue.