The Tigers claimed a hugely important third home win of the season
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
16:29, 04 Oct 2025
Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur celebrates at the final whistle (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)
Sergej Jakirovic revealed his delight at Hull City’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United, praising Ivor Pandur for a late penalty save to deny the Blades a point and seal another major MKM Stadium scalp.City were a goal up after 30 minutes when David Akintola fired in via a deflection to open his account for the Tigers from a pinpoint Lewie Coyle cross, and from that moment, the hosts had something to hold onto.Gus Hamer had hit the bar, and while the away side piled on the pressure at stages in the second half, rarely did they look like scoring until the returning Semi Ajayi fouled Danny Ings in the box four minutes from time.Pandur brilliantly denied Harrison Burrows from the spot to preserve City’s first clean sheet since the opening day, and secure a third home win.
“Thank God he saved the penalty,” a relieved Jakirovic told Hull Live. “I am very happy for Ivor. It is a big relief for him and a good boost for his confidence.
“I am very happy that we won 1-0. We had a clean sheet, and today we were very strong defensively. We were lucky because they hit the post, but in the second half, we could have won the game with some chances.
“The clean sheet was important. When we had possession, if we lost it, we knew it was difficult against this side. For me, from the first second I saw a battle for every inch on the pitch.”
City had craved a clean sheet for the first time since Coventry on the opening day, and a sterling rearguard display was pivotal to that.
“We are very, very happy because of the 1-0 victory and a clean sheet,” he continued. “We were defensively very strong. We didn’t allow so much space behind us.
“We got lucky because they hit the post, but in the second half, we could have finished the game with Oli McBurnie’s chance and Gilo’s early pass for Oli, which was cut out.
“The penalty was also lucky for us, but I’m very happy because of Ivor. I know that he needs that and it’s a bigger impact for him, a big boost for his confidence.”
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