Hull City are heading to Wembley after a 2-0 victory over Millwall. The win, secured with second-half goals from substitutes Mo Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt, puts the Tigers one game away from the Premier League.
Sergej Jakirovic’s side will face either Southampton or Middlesbrough in the final.
Belloumi’s Impact After Injury
One fan expressed his delight for Mo Belloumi after his injury struggles, stating, “So pleased for Mo Belloumi after his dreadful luck with injuries. Had a feeling he might be the difference. What a goal! We may still not be favourites, but that suits us fine! C’mon U ‘ull!”
Another supporter said, “Great win for the Tigers tonight. l thought we got the team selection spot on. We didn’t get bullied like on Friday. We actually bullied Millwall.”
Millwall’s Perspective
Millwall boss Alex Neil spoke to Sky Sports after the game. “We didn’t get the first goal. I think the first goal was going to decide the game.”
Neil added, “10 minutes before half time I thought it was quite even. We sort of rolled the dice in terms of bringing on another striker and I don’t think we had any quality in the box. We conceded a goal within a minute [of making those changes] and then we started chasing our tail.”
He also commented on the fitness of the players: “The lads that come onto the pitch and the lads that start the game should be fit and ready so that [the time on the pitch] doesn’t come into it. We didn’t do well enough. We didn’t stick well enough. You'”
Fans Celebrate From Afar
The victory sparked celebrations among Hull City fans worldwide. One supporter watching from a remote cottage in north Wales near Betws-y-Coed said he was “Running round the kitchen like a lunatic much to the amusement of my rugby-loving in-laws.”
Another fan in Dagenham, originally from Hull, shared his excitement: “What a weekend – my beloved Hull KR are at Wembley. And now my beloved Hull City are at Wembley. Very emotional as a Robin and a Tiger since 1987.”
Another fan said that BBC sport reuniting Hull City fans from across the globe and sent a hello to his brother Graeme in Hull from West Yorkshire.
Looking Ahead to Wembley
Hull City are the first team to book their place in the final in this year’s EFL play-offs. Hull Kingston Rovers beat Warrington on Sunday to set up a Challenge Cup final against Wigan at Wembley on Saturday, 30 May. A week after Hull will play either Southampton or Middlesbrough for a place in the Premier League.
The final against either Southampton or Middlesbrough is one game away from taking the club back to the Premier League for the first time in nine years.