Hull City Book Wembley Date After Gritty Win at The Den

Hull City secured a 1-0 victory over Millwall in the Championship playoff semi-final second leg at The Den on Wednesday night, advancing to the final at Wembley. Liam Delap's 23rd-minute strike proved decisive as the Tigers held firm under intense pressure.

Context: How Hull Turned the Tie Around

After a goalless first leg at the MKM Stadium, Hull knew they needed a strong away performance. Manager Liam Rosenior set his side up in a compact 4-5-1 shape, looking to hit Millwall on the counter. Delap's goal came from a swift break: Jaden Philogene drove forward from midfield, slipped a pass to Delap, who curled the ball into the far corner from 18 yards.

Millwall dominated possession in the second half, registering 14 shots, but Hull's defence, marshalled by Alfie Jones, blocked four efforts and cleared three off the line. The Tigers have now kept three clean sheets in their last four matches, a run that underpins their playoff surge.

Impact: What This Means for the Final and Beyond

Hull will face either Leeds United or Southampton in the final, with the winner earning a Premier League promotion worth upwards of £170m. For a club that narrowly avoided relegation to League One two seasons ago, this represents a remarkable turnaround.

  • Tactically, Rosenior's preference for high pressing and quick transitions has unsettled superior possession sides. Millwall managed only 0.8 xG from their 14 shots, highlighting Hull's defensive organisation.
  • Statistically, Hull have won 4 of their last 5 matches, including a 4-1 demolition of Cardiff on the final day. Their away form has been solid: 9 wins on the road this season, the fourth-best in the division.
  • For FPL managers, Delap, priced at £5.5m, has now scored 12 goals this season. If Hull gain promotion, his value is likely to rise ahead of the Premier League campaign.

What's Next: The Final and Summer Plans

Hull travel to Wembley on May 26, facing the winner of the second semi-final. A win would secure a return to the top flight after a 10-year absence. Should they fall short, the club faces tough decisions over loanees like Delap (on loan from Manchester City) and Philogene (Aston Villa), both of whom have been instrumental. The playoff final is a one-off shootout; Hull's momentum could be enough to defy the odds.

Filed under: Latest News | LA Premier League Home