City’s brave effort at Portman Road was undone by a moment of real quality
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
21:50, 03 Mar 2026
Eazor Matusiwa of Ipswich Town grapples with Joe Gelhardt of Hull City(Image: Joe Toth/Shutterstock)
Hull City’s eight-game unbeaten run away from the MKM Stadium was ended on Tuesday night courtesy of a stunning Azor Matusiwa strike, which sealed a narrow 1-0 win for Ipswich Town in a battle of two of the promotion-chasing teams.
While the hosts dominated the ball in the first half, City were fairly comfortable for the most part with their only real moment of danger coming from an error between Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Hughes, which allowed George Hirst to force a smart save from Ivor Pandur.
Matusiwa’s strike from the edge of the box 19 minutes from time gave Ipswich victory, and leaves City seven points ahead of the chasing play-off pack with 11 games to go.
At the other end, the Tigers were not without their own moments of promise, but failed to take advantage of numerous counter-attacks.
Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players in action at Portman Road on Tuesday night….
Ivor Pandur: Didn’t have a huge amount to do in the first half, but made a smart save from Hirst after Gelhardt and Hughes were caught playing silly beggers. Could do nothing about the goal, and then made a belting save to deny Clarke moments later. 8/10
Lewie Coyle: Operated in the left wing-back role and did what he needed to do well. Was booked in the first half for a challenge on Egeli and then had to come off with a knock before the break. 6/10
Paddy McNair: Into the side in a back three and was solid throughout the night, defending well alongside Egan and Hughes. 7/10
Charlie Hughes: A comfortable first half, aside from the moment he and old pal Joe Gelhardt tried to be a bit too clever by their own corner flag. Like the rest of his defence, he probably didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. 7/10
John Egan: No huge dramas in a well-disciplined first period against the club that wanted to sign him in January. Booked in the second period for a lunge on Hirst. Came off after what proved to be the winning goal. 7/10
Cody Drameh: Dealt well with Jacob Greaves and Jack Clarke in a solid first period and that largely continued in the second. May well get more of a run with Coyle injured, 7/10
Regan Slater: No shortage of tenacity in the middle of the park early on and kept at it all night. Proper shift. 7/10
Matt Crooks: Rewarded with a start after his winner at Fratton Park and was everywhere in the first period, showing why he’s been such a big miss. Had to make a challenge after McBurnie sold Slater short and was booked, meaning he’ll miss the next two games. 7/10
Liam Millar: Saw plenty of the ball in the first half, but was unable to make the most of the moments that came his way. Had a couple of bright moments second half before coming off. 6/10
Joe Gelhardt: Couldn’t really have much of an effect going forward in the first period. Was a tad fortunate with Hughes when Hirst saw a shot saved. Replaced at the break by Oli McBurnie. 5/10
Lewis Koumas: Deployed up front like against Chelsea and could maybe have made more of an early surge forward. Always a willing runner, just lacked that bit of quality and calmness when needed. 6/10
Subs:
Akin Famewo (for Coyle 41): A first-half arrival in place of skipper Coyle and did a job for his team. Gave little away. 7/10
Oli McBurnie (for Gelhardt 46): Struggled to get into the second half, aside from a lay-off which freed Millar. Just didn’t get any service, which has been an ongoing concern for a while. 6/10
Kyle Joseph (for Millar 65): Provided some good energy, but City just couldn’t give him enough to go at. 6/10
John Lundstram (for Crooks 65): Unlucky with a couple of moments at the other end, and couldn’t get to Matusiwa quickly enough to stop the shot. 6/10
Amir Hadziahmetovic (for Egan 72): Got on ther ball and moved it neatly when he could. Likely comes back in the team at the weekend. 6/10
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