CHAMPIONS!
“Sky Bet League One Champions 2020/21- Hull City” is what the record books will say, as The Tigers closed out their home campaign by securing the title in a 3-1 victory against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
Another professional performance during an end-to-end encounter coupled with Peterborough’s draw with Lincoln saw City secure top spot with one game to spare.
Grant McCann made one change to his starting 11 after the win at Lincoln on April 24th, with club captain Richie Smallwood making his first start since February 6th as he replaced Regan Slater.
The first chance of the game did fall to the visitors, as Joe Dodoo saw his effort blocked by Alfie Jones. Soon after, The Tigers had a golden opportunity to take the lead as Callum Elder’s inviting low cross was turned just wide by Josh Magennis. However, the opening goal wasn’t too long in waiting.
It came on 17 minutes, as neat play between Mallik Wilks and Lewie Coyle down the right resulted in a teasing cross from the right back which was met by the head of Keane Lewis-Potter, and his header was too powerful for Jamie Jones as it nestled into the bottom left corner.
That goal began a chaotic 4 minute period, with the visitors equalising almost imminently. Former City striker Will Keane was able to drift into the box, and with the Tigers defence in tatters, Dodoo was left with the simple task of stroking in the tempting delivery, and he did so.
The Latics weren’t level for long. A great ball from George Honeyman picked out Mallik Wilks down the right flank, and after making his way into the box, a tidy backheel which bemused the Wigan defence, returned the ball into Honeyman who drove a powerful shot across Jones to make it 2-1 to City on 21 minutes.
Magennis was still causing problems for the visiting back line, and he saw one close range effort ruled out for offside.
Matt Ingram was called upon to keep out a Lee Evans free-kick before Curtis Tilt sent an effort looping over the bar from the resulting corner
This also wasn’t a game short of controversy, with the Wigan players adamant that Jacob Greaves’ challenge on Callum Lang with moments left of the first period should’ve been punished. However, any protestations were waved away by referee Bobby Madley.
HT: Hull City 2-1 Wigan Athletic
Richie Smallwood saw his afternoon end on 57 minutes, as Slater was brought on as a result of the captain receiving a yellow card moments before.
City were definitely the most likely of the two sides to find another goal. Greg Docherty found himself in space, however his shot from a tight angle would only find the side-netting. Moments later, another goal did arrive.
A short corner between Elder and Honeyman was played out to Slater on the edge of the box, and his teasing delivery was flicked on by Wilks, and it left Magennis with the easiest of headers across the keeper to make it 3-1, and claim his 18th goal of the season.
There were no other real chances of note for the remainder of the game, and with news filtering through that Peterborough had dropped points again, the players were once again on the pitch at full-time and then with the supporters afterwards.
For the first time in 55 years, Hull City AFC are champions of a division again!
FT: Hull City 3-1 Wigan Athletic
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