The Tigers have six games before the next break and they’ll hope to build on that fabulous win over the Blades
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
05:00, 13 Oct 2025
John Egan, David Akintola, and Charlie Hughes celebrate against Sheffield United(Image: Zach Forster/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Chris Iwelumo believes Hull City’s battling 1-0 win over Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United last weekend was a real statement of intent from the Tigers.
David Akintola’s first City goal was enough to condemn United to an eighth defeat in their opening nine league games, and give the Tigers a third home win in the early weeks of the campaign and move them well away from the bottom three.
Key to that victory over the struggling Blades was the defensive display, something boss Sergej Jakirovic had been calling for after watching his side concede 16 goals in eight games since the opening day draw at Coventry City.
Jakirovic got a vastly improved performance from his defensive unit, although he did need goalkeeper Ivor Pandur to save an 87th-minute penalty from Harrison Burrows to keep hold of those precious three points.
Former Scotland striker Iwelumo believes City have the strength in depth to build on that result after the international break when they return to action at Birmingham City, and get some momentum into their season.
“I think they worked hard,” he told Sky Sports. “With the ball, they were very aggressive on the front foot, creative, albeit I think they can improve, but the defensive foundations are there, and that’s something that (Sergej) Jakirovic said, it’s about having that balance, having those defensive foundations, and then being able to build from that.
“They’ve got quality and depth as well. I think that’s a real statement of intent, 1-0. The second clean sheet of the season, so can they kick on from that? I think they can.”
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