Hull City 2-3 Bristol City: FLW report as Tigers suffer setback in five-goal thriller vs Robins | OneFootball

FLW report from the MKM Stadium for this Championship encounter

Hull City suffered their first defeat since New Year's Day with a dramatic 3-2 loss to Bristol City at the MKM Stadium.

It was, ironically, the Tigers, who took the lead on 24 minutes through Oli McBurnie's smart finish from close range, before Rob Atkinson and Ross McCrorie turned the game on its head in the latter stages of the first half.

Emil Riis then gave Gerhard Struber's side a 3-1 advantage after 50 minutes, before Kieran Dowell reduced the arrears with his first goal for the hosts 12 minutes from time.

Ultimately, Sergej Jakirovic's side couldn't find a late equaliser, and have been frustrated in HU3 for the second time in four days.

Hull City 2-3 Bristol City

The first chance of the game fell the way of Riis on eight minutes. The Dane capitalised on a mishap from Hull debutant, Paddy McNair, but found Ivor Pandur equal to his tame side-footed strike.

The returning Ryan Giles then looked to add a ninth assist of the campaign for the Tigers, but neither Kyle Joseph or McBurnie could generate sufficient contact, before Tomi Horvat steered a low drive wide for the visitors.

Despite struggling to get a foothold in the match for a sustained period, Hull took the lead on 24 minutes as Regan Slater was able to shift the ball into McBurnie's path, with the striker able to compose himself before slotting it past Vitek for his 13th of the campaign in all competitions.

Former Hull loanee, Scott Twine, then fired a speculative effort over Pandur's crossbar from a centre-left position. However, the Robins would be level 12 minutes before the break as Atkinson bundled Horvat's inswinging corner home after tussling with Lewie Coyle from 10 yards out.

Vitek then pulled off an impressive save to thwart the advancing McNair's drive from close range after the centre-back played a neat exchange with Joe Gelhardt. However, Struber's side would turn the game on its head six minutes before the interval as Hull's defence could only clear as far as McCrorie, who left Pandur with no chance through his stunning effort which flew past the Croatian.

In the first period's final minutes, Vitek was on hand to tip Gelhardt's angled free-kick over the bar as Jakirovic's men looked to respond to their double-quick setback before half-time.

It went from bad to worse for the hosts five minutes into the second period, though, as Twine's inch-perfect through ball set Riis one-on-one with Pandur to slot home his 11th of the season.

Play was then stopped twice in five minutes due to a squirrel making its way onto the turf, with Hull substitute, Lewis Koumas, turning a free header wide once the game finally resumed.

Rob Dickie was then on hand to smartly block a fierce Gelhardt drive from just inside the box after he was found in space by Liam Millar 17 minutes from time, before Charlie Hughes prevented Robins substitute, Sinclair Armstrong, from adding a fourth on the break.

The Tigers were then able to stage a grandstand finale as Dowell slammed home his first for the club from close range after Vitek couldn't claim a hanging cross from Koumas.

Although 10 minutes of stoppage-time were added at the end of the second period, Hull struggled to force their way past Bristol City's resolute backline, with McBurnie able to connect with a hopeful Millar cross midway through the aforementioned period, before the Scot saw appeals for a penalty waved away by Oliver Langford after battling with Atkinson.

However, the Robins held out for three points which sees them climb to eighth on 46 points, whilst the Tigers have dropped to fourth, behind Ipswich Town on goal difference.

Player Ratings

Hull City

Ivor Pandur - 5

Paddy McNair - 6 (Collyer 76" - 6)

John Egan - 5.5 (Jacob 65" - 6)

Charlie Hughes - 6

Lewie Coyle - 6.5

John Lundstram - 6.5 (Dowell 65" - 7)

Regan Slater - 7.5

Ryan Giles - 6.5 (Millar 46" - 6.5)

Joe Gelhardt - 6.5

Kyle Joseph - 6.5 (Koumas 46" - 6.5)

Oli McBurnie - 7

Unused Subs: D.Phillips, C.McCarthy, A.Famewo, A.Hadziahmetovic

Bristol City

Radek Vitek - 6

George Tanner - 6.5 (Eile 97" - N/A)

Rob Dickie - 7

Rob Atkinson - 8

Ross McCrorie - 7.5 (Sykes 70" - 6)

Sam Morsy - 6.5 (Williams 79" - 6.5)

Adam Randell - 7

Neto Borges - 7

Tomi Horvat - 7.5 (Burgzorg 79" - 6)

Scott Twine - 8

Emil Riis - 7.5 (Armstrong 71" - 6.5)

Unused Subs: J.Lumley, C.Pring, G.Earthy, S.Bell

Sergej Jakirovic reacts as Hull City defeated by Bristol City

Reacting to his side's first defeat in over a month, Jakirovic said: "I think we entered the game well and controlled everything.

"But, then we started to lose balls and challenges easily and too softly. We were too soft, and they had two chances where we weren't punished.

"We took the lead with a nice action. Great play between Regan (Slater) and Oli (McBurnie).

"I think we brought them into the game with our mistakes," Jakirovic claimed. "Our numbers in the box can be controlled better.

"I think they were two cheap goals, but from Bristol's point of view, they are good goals.

"We believed in the dressing room that we could equalise. But, after our promising attack, they blocked, they transitioned well and fast to make it 3-1.

"It was not easy. We tried with our substitutions and made it 3-2.

"Maybe in possession, we should be braver on the ball and move the ball faster. We took extra touches, and they were ready for everything and felt comfortable in defence.

"We couldn't find an extra man in the pockets or with promising crosses. Maybe one situation on Oli, where someone pushes him in the back in the box for a penalty, but I must see this back.

"In the end, congratulations to Bristol for their three points," the City boss said.

Gerhard Struber reacts as Bristol City see off Hull City

Reacting to his side's victory in East Yorkshire, Struber said: "I would say we are really happy with the win here.

"I can say this was a team effort on a really high level today.

"After the heavy defeat against Derby, it was a good time to show a reaction with our new players, to find and create a good performance from ourselves," he added.

"But, I would say it was a good chance to build momentum. When you win here, every player has to be on board.

"They are in good form, have players of a really high quality and outstanding confidence. This meant we needed the players to get on board.

"Today, I think we saw in more directions how we play, how we pressed more in midfield and defence. I think we found a different behaviour with how high we pressed them on the field.

"On the same time, we were really sharp in transitions. It was really clear and clean," Struber said.

"In the end, we defended the game in our way. An interesting game.

"I think we deserved the points through our performance."

Attendance

The attendance at the MKM Stadium this afternoon was 20,848.