McBurnie’s Calm Penalty Keeps Hull Flying in Play-Off Push
Hull City’s momentum in the Championship was kept firmly alive as they edged past West Bromwich Albion with a narrow but hugely significant 1–0 victory at the MKM Stadium. It was one of those games where patience, discipline, and a single decisive moment ended up making all the difference, and once again, Oli McBurnie found himself right at the heart of it.
The match didn’t start with Hull in total control. In fact, much of the first half belonged to West Brom, who moved the ball confidently and created several promising openings. Their best chance arrived early when Karlan Grant whipped in a dangerous cross that found Isaac Price charging into the box. From just a few yards out, with the goal begging, the chance was somehow side-footed over the bar. It was a miss that would come back to haunt the visitors.
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West Brom continued to threaten, with Mikey Johnston trying his luck from range and Grant sending a volley narrowly wide. Hull, meanwhile, were made to work without the ball and were forced into defending second balls and aerial duels, something head coach Sergej Jakirovic later admitted was a struggle early on. Still, the Tigers stayed in the contest, knowing one moment could change everything.
That moment arrived deep into first-half stoppage time. From a corner, defender Nat Phillips was judged to have handled the ball with his arm raised above his head. After a brief pause, a penalty was awarded, and McBurnie stepped up. With remarkable calm, especially considering it was his first start since returning from a calf injury, the striker rolled the ball straight down the middle. It was his third goal in as many games and his 10th in just 13 appearances this season, underlining just how influential his return has been.
The second half told a different story. Hull were far more controlled, closing down space and managing the tempo well. West Brom’s hopes of a comeback faded further when Alfie Gilchrist was shown a red card for a foul on Liam Millar, a decision that even Jakirovic felt was harsh. Still, it tilted the balance firmly in Hull’s favour.
From there, the Tigers focused on game management. Chances were limited, the back line held strong, and a clean sheet was secured. When the final whistle blew, it confirmed a third straight win for Hull City and lifted them up to fourth place in the table, strengthening their grip on a play-off spot.
For West Brom, it was another frustrating away day, marking an eighth consecutive defeat on the road and leaving them eight points adrift of the play-offs. For Hull, though, this was about resilience, belief, and a striker who continues to deliver when it matters most.
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