Hull City Beat Leeds United to Reach Championship Play-Off Final

Hull City have advanced to the Championship play-off final after a commanding 3-0 aggregate victory over Leeds United. The Tigers secured a 2-0 win at Elland Road in the second leg, overturning a first-leg deficit. Liam Rosenior's side will face Sunderland or Middlesbrough at Wembley on May 26.

Dominant Display at Elland Road

Hull arrived in West Yorkshire trailing 1-0 from the first leg at the MKM Stadium. But they produced a ruthless performance, scoring twice in the first half through Ozan Tufan and Aaron Connolly. The tie was effectively sealed when Connolly added his second after the break.

The victory extends Hull's unbeaten run to six matches, including five wins. They have kept three clean sheets in their last four games, a defensive resilience that has underpinned their late-season surge.

How Hull Overcame Leeds

Leeds struggled to break down a well-organised Hull defence. The Tigers pressed high, forcing errors from the Leeds backline, which has been vulnerable all season. Gelhardt, on loan from Leeds, was lively but lacked service. Hull's midfield trio of Jean Michaël Seri, Regan Slater, and Ryan Woods controlled the centre, limiting Leeds to long-range efforts.

Statistics underline Hull's efficiency: they had just 38% possession but registered six shots on target to Leeds' two. The Tigers have now scored 12 goals from set pieces this season, the third-best in the division.

Wembley Stakes and Season Context

The play-off final offers Hull a chance to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017. A win would be worth an estimated £170m in broadcast and commercial revenue over three seasons. Hull have not finished higher than 11th since relegation, but this run signals progress under Rosenior.

  • Hull have won 7 of their last 10 matches.
  • They have the division's fourth-best expected goals (xG) in 2025-26.
  • Rosenior's side are unbeaten in four away play-off ties since 2008.

What Next for Hull and Leeds

Hull face either Sunderland or Middlesbrough in the final. Both sides finished above them in the regular season, but Hull's recent form suggests they can compete. For Leeds, this defeat likely triggers a summer rebuild, with key players like Gelhardt facing uncertain futures. The final will be played on May 26 at Wembley Stadium.

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