Hull City 2-2 Ipswich Town: Enciso Stunner Rescues Point in First-Ever Premier League Meeting

Hull City 2-2 Ipswich Town: Enciso's late stunner denies spirited Hull comeback

Julio Enciso's exquisite curling finish rescued a 2-2 draw for Ipswich Town at Hull City on Saturday, 31 October 2026, in the first-ever top-flight meeting between the two promoted sides. Hull had fought back from two goals down to lead 2-1 before Enciso's late equaliser.

Competition: Premier League, Round 9
Kick-off: 16:00, 31 October 2026
Venue: MKM Stadium, Hull
Result: Hull City 2-2 Ipswich Town
Man of the Match: Abdoul Ouattara (Ipswich Town)
Key stat: Ipswich have won eight points from losing positions this season, more than any other Premier League team.

Match report: Entertaining draw sees both promoted sides share the spoils

With both sides occupying mid-table positions, Premier League life has looked more treat than trick for the newly promoted duo prior to their meeting at the MKM Stadium. However, the hosts looked spooked in a lacklustre first half, as Ipswich quickly assumed control of possession and prevented Hull from making any meaningful impact.

Minutes after Dara O'Shea saw a penalty appeal waved away, the Tractor Boys took a deserved lead midway through the half when Abdoul Ouattara drove forward and slid the ball inside the area to Florentino, who smashed it into the roof of the net at the near post.

Enciso's header appeared to have doubled the visitors' advantage, only for it to be chalked off after Abdul Fatawu was adjudged to have fouled in the build-up.

Hull had offered little threat until the closing stages of the first period when Mohamed Belloumi sought to drag his side back into the contest. His dangerous delivery forced Ouattara into a wild clearance before Tim Iroegbunam's left-footed drive from outside the area sailed harmlessly wide.

The introduction of Matt Crooks at the break saw Sergej Jakirovic's side revert to a back four and a more attacking approach that paid off just before the hour. A defensive lapse from Ipswich allowed Iroegbunam space to surge down the left and into the penalty area. And in making amends for his earlier miss, the midfielder kept his composure to rifle home his first goal for the club.

With the tide completely turning in the Tigers' favour, Oliver McBurnie completed the turnaround 10 minutes later, scoring in successive matches by capitalising on Christian Walton's poor positioning and stroking a free-kick around the wall and into the bottom right corner.

Ipswich's hopes appeared to be fading, having conceded their foothold in the contest, but Enciso restored parity as he skipped through the Hull defence and found the top corner with an exquisite curling finish to set up an end-to-end grandstand finish.

Walton reacted well to deny Brooke Norton-Cuffy's angled effort from restoring Hull's lead whilst Jack Clarke's inviting cross narrowly evaded Issa Diop as both sides sensed a winner in the closing stages before eventually settling for a point apiece in an exhausting second half.

The numbers

Ipswich Town: Have won eight points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other team.
Hull City: Have failed to win in their last seven games in the Premier League; their last longer winless streak was from November 2016 to January 2017 (nine games).
Hull City: Have lost eight points from winning positions in the Premier League this season; only Bournemouth (nine) and Brentford (11) have lost more.

Analysis: Why Ipswich's resilience and Hull's defensive frailties define this draw

This was a tale of two teams moving in opposite directions in terms of game management. Ipswich Town have now won eight points from losing positions this season — more than any other Premier League side — and that resilience was on full display at the MKM Stadium. Julio Enciso was the architect of their salvaged point, his curling finish a moment of individual brilliance that papered over the cracks of a second-half collapse. The Tractor Boys had controlled the first half, with Abdoul Ouattara — the Man of the Match — driving forward to assist Florentino's opener. But after the break, they were undone by a tactical shift from Hull and some slack defending.

Hull City, meanwhile, have now failed to win in seven Premier League games, and their habit of losing points from winning positions is becoming a real concern. They have lost eight points from such situations this season, a figure bettered only by Bournemouth and Brentford. Sergej Jakirovic's decision to bring on Matt Crooks at half-time and switch to a back four changed the game, allowing Tim Iroegbunam and Oliver McBurnie to turn the tide. But the Tigers couldn't hold on, and Christian Walton's poor positioning for McBurnie's free-kick was a rare error from the goalkeeper, who otherwise made a smart save to deny Brooke Norton-Cuffy late on. The hosts will rue their inability to see out the win, while Ipswich will take heart from another comeback.

On the pitch, the key battle was in midfield, where Ipswich's possession-based approach initially stifled Hull. But once Jakirovic matched up with a back four and introduced Crooks, the hosts found joy down the flanks, particularly through Mohamed Belloumi and Jack Clarke. The game became end-to-end, and both sides had chances to win it. In the end, a draw was probably a fair reflection, but both managers will have learned plenty about their team's character.

Talking points

Should Hull City be concerned about their habit of throwing away leads? They have now lost eight points from winning positions this season — only Bournemouth and Brentford have fared worse.
Is Julio Enciso's equaliser the moment that kick-starts Ipswich's season? The Tractor Boys have shown remarkable resilience, but they need to start turning draws into wins.
Did Sergej Jakirovic get his tactics wrong from the start? The decision to switch to a back four at half-time worked, but why not start that way?
Christian Walton's error for McBurnie's free-kick proved costly. Should he be under pressure for his place?

What happens next

Hull City will look to end their seven-game winless run when they travel to face Bournemouth in their next Premier League fixture, while Ipswich Town host Leeds United. Both sides will be desperate for three points to climb the table and ease any lingering relegation fears. The January transfer window also looms, and both managers may look to strengthen their squads.