Hull City rues penalty call and pinpoints main issue at Sunderland

Hull City were left frustrated after a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday night, with head coach Sergej Jakirovic insisting his side should have been awarded an early penalty. The Tigers' first loss of the season came via a Chemsdine Talbi counter-attack, but Jakirovic pointed to a debatable moment in the opening minutes as a key turning point.

  • Date: Tuesday, 8 September 2026
  • Opponent: Sunderland (away)
  • Competition: Carabao Cup third round
  • Result: Sunderland 1-0 Hull City
  • Key moment: Robinio Vaz denied a penalty after a challenge by Luke O'Nien
  • Scorer: Chemsdine Talbi for Sunderland

What was said

"From what I saw yes. It's a foul. You have a kick in the calf, an elbow in the head and if it's in the box, it's a penalty. It's not easy for the referees there because it is very fast and maybe it's VAR he will give this."

— Sergej Jakirovic on the penalty appeal

"I think we played a 50/50 game today until the first mistake. We had some good actions, Sunderland also had good actions. Maybe the goal we conceded we have to be better organised there with the long ball but great finishing at the end. I think we had the best chance of the game through Joe Gelhardt and maybe we feel like we can score but unfortunately we didn't. Maybe through all the game we had some good actions but a lack of better decisions and finishing. I know where is the problem, maybe the lack of fitness, a lack of energy with the new players. Also they were playing for the first time together in official games. It's not easy and with all the principles that we have but OK, it will be better. We have to work a lot on their fitness and then everything will be good."

— Sergej Jakirovic

Jakirovic's analysis: penalty decision and fitness concerns

Jakirovic was adamant that Hull City should have had a penalty in the fifth minute when debutant Robinio Vaz was bundled over in the box. According to the head coach, Vaz was caught on the calf by Luke O'Nien and also took an elbow to the head. Referee Paul Tierney waved away the protests, and play was stopped only for Vaz to receive treatment.

The coach acknowledged the game was evenly contested until Sunderland's goal, which came from a long ball that Hull failed to organise against. He praised Sunderland's finishing but admitted his own side lacked quality in the final third, with Joe Gelhardt having the best chance of the match.

Jakirovic also pointed to a lack of fitness and energy among new players, many of whom were playing together for the first time in an official match. He stressed that work on fitness would be key to improvement.

Talking points

  • Penalty appeal: Vaz's fall under O'Nien's challenge could have changed the game's outcome.
  • Defensive organisation: Hull conceded from a long ball, a recurring issue according to Jakirovic.
  • New players' integration: Several debutants played together for the first time, affecting cohesion.

What happens next

Hull City will look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season as they continue their Premier League campaign. Jakirovic has called for improved fitness and decision-making as the squad adjusts to new faces.

Frequently asked questions

Did Hull City have a penalty claim?

According to head coach Sergej Jakirovic, Robinio Vaz was fouled in the box by Luke O'Nien, with a kick to the calf and an elbow to the head. The referee disagreed, and no penalty was given.

What was the final score?

Sunderland won 1-0 against Hull City in the Carabao Cup third round, with Chemsdine Talbi scoring the only goal.

What did Jakirovic say about the team's performance?

He said the game was 50/50 until the first mistake, that Hull had good actions but lacked better decisions and finishing, and that fitness and energy were issues with new players playing together for the first time.

Filed under: Club News | LA Premier League Home