Hull City book Wembley date after clinical Millwall win
Hull City will play in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on Saturday May 23 after a 2-0 second-leg win at Millwall sealed a 2-0 aggregate victory. Mohamed Belloumi broke the deadlock on 64 minutes and substitute Joe Gelhardt added a second 15 minutes later.
- Result: Millwall 0-2 Hull City (aggregate 0-2)
- Competition: Championship play-off semi-final, second leg
- Venue: The Den
- Goals: Belloumi 64, Gelhardt 79
- Final: Championship play-off final, Saturday May 23
- Key fact: Hull are the first sixth-placed side in seven years to win their semi-final
What was said
"It's an amazing feeling. We were fantastic today. It was a very difficult, demanding game. We knew they'd start well, but we responded well and now we're going to Wembley. I have had great success as a coach until now, winning championships and everything, but this is maybe number one because of all the problems we had through the season, with so many injuries and, like I said, the embargo. This is maybe the best thing that has happened in football in my life."
"What do you do, not bring anybody on? Do you know what I mean? Your job as a player is to come on, be up to the speed of the game and do your job properly. You don't do it the other way, do you? If they come on and score immediately, you don't say, 'Oh well, he wouldn't have been up to the speed of the game.' That doesn't come into my thinking. The lads that come on the pitch and the lads that start the game should be fit and ready and available."
"A lot of observers would have thought, it's Millwall at home, it's obvious they are going to win and get to Wembley. But with the way Hull play, it's not about dominating the ball, it's about individuals who can change the course of matches. They've done it all season long, that's why they got into the play-offs and that's why they've got through this second leg. They were magnificent tonight. They had a bit of a sticky patch in the first half but I just think they controlled the midfield, they were devastating when the subs came on and they thoroughly deserve their day at Wembley. Southampton and Middlesbrough will do their homework on Hull, but you've got to be so wary of them. They have shown all season, if you underestimate them or don't plan for the way they play, you will come unstuck."
"It's Millwall and they are always going to be realistic. If you get a £15-20m offer for Femi Azeez he's going. You have to take it, in my opinion. If you want to build with that money, that's fine but, unfortunately, we speak about teams that are already coming down from the Premier League - Wolves and Burnley are coming down and potentially Spurs or West Ham - with big budgets and we don't know where that's going to go. Are Millwall going to be able to compete with them? No. This was the best year for everybody. This was the most open year. You're not going to get a Sheffield United that were as bad as this year, Norwich are going to be better next year. All these teams are going to improve. It's not an opportunity missed because they could come again, but you're going to need to add that quality because next season people are going to have an eye on Millwall. They are not going to take them for granted."
How the tie was won
After a goalless first leg, the deadlock was finally broken by Mohamed Belloumi midway through the second half at The Den. The winger was found by Matt Crooks and cut inside in the box to curl home a brilliant opener on 64 minutes.
Fifteen minutes later the tie was sealed. Once again Belloumi was at the heart of it, racing forward before skidding a ball across the box for Joe Gelhardt. The substitute, who had just been introduced, showed incredible composure to hit a low shot that squirmed through the hands of Anthony Patterson and over the line.
The away end behind the goal erupted. The three home stands were left devastated. But on the balance of play, particularly in the second leg, Hull were well worthy of the win.
Analysis: A remarkable campaign continues
Hull City have become the first sixth-placed side in seven years to win their semi-final. They only stayed up on the final day of last season and have been under a transfer embargo this term under Sergej Jakirovic. Having also started the final day of the season outside the play-off places, they are now just one game away from returning to the Premier League for the first time since 2017. They have been down in League One for a season since then as well.
Jakirovic's side were clinical at The Den, controlling the midfield and proving devastating when the substitutes came on. As Andy Hinchcliffe noted, Hull do not dominate the ball but possess individuals who can change the course of matches. That quality has been evident all season and is why they are now 90 minutes from the top flight.
Millwall, meanwhile, are left to reflect on what might have been. Alex Neil dismissed the idea that the introduction of Alfie Doughty cost them the tie. The left-back was substituted on for Zak Sturge midway through the second half, and within moments he let Belloumi beat him to score the crucial first goal. Neil insisted that players coming on must be up to the speed of the game.
Talking points
- Belloumi brilliance: Mohamed Belloumi was involved in both goals, curling home the opener and then setting up Joe Gelhardt for the second.
- Substitute impact: Joe Gelhardt had just been introduced when he scored the second, showing incredible composure to beat Anthony Patterson.
- Millwall's future: Curtis Davies suggested Millwall may need to sell Femi Azeez if a £15-20m offer arrives, and warned next season will be tougher with relegated Premier League clubs spending big.
What happens next
Hull City will face either Southampton or Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on Saturday May 23. Southampton and Middlesbrough will do their homework on Hull, but as Andy Hinchcliffe warned, they must be wary of Jakirovic's side. Millwall, meanwhile, will prepare for another season in the Championship, with Curtis Davies predicting they will need to add quality to compete.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Championship play-off final?
The final is on Saturday May 23.
Who scored Hull City's goals against Millwall?
Mohamed Belloumi scored the first on 64 minutes and substitute Joe Gelhardt added the second on 79 minutes.
Who will Hull City face in the play-off final?
Hull will face either Southampton or Middlesbrough in the final at Wembley.
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