Derby County fell short in a thrilling Sky Bet Championship encounter, as Hull City ran out 4–2 winners at the MKM Stadium on Tuesday night.
Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Derby were undone by defensive lapses, missed opportunities, and controversial refereeing decisions, while Hull proved clinical in taking advantage of limited chances.
Head Coach John Eustace made three changes from the side that lost 2–0 at Watford. Derry Murkin started his second game, having made a cameo at the weekend.
Craig Forsyth returned to the defence, and Bobby Clark rejoined the midfield.
Callum Elder and Matt Clarke completed the backline, while the forward line featured Patrick Agyemang, Sammie Szmodics, and Ben Brereton Díaz, with Murkin providing width and energy.
Several academy prospects were included on the bench. Cruz Allen, Owen Eames, and Isaac Gordon showing continued faith in youth development.
Tactical questions arose over Eustace’s decision to field three left-footed defenders (Forsyth, Elder, Clarke), as this occasionally limited natural passing angles and defensive coverage on the right.
From the first minute, the match promised to be physical. Agyemang went into the referee’s book almost immediately, setting the tone.
Hull’s first chance came when Oli McBurnie held up play on the right and found Joe Gelhardt, whose cross flew over the bar.
Shortly after, Ryan Giles advanced down the left for Hull, but Josh Vickers produced a smart save to parry a low strike behind for a corner.
The resulting set-piece proved costly. The in-swinging corner caused confusion as Charlie Hughes and Elder tussled in the box, and the ball deflected off Elder’s back into the net for an own goal, giving Hull the lead after just nine minutes.
Derby responded through birthday boy Forsyth’s first league goal of the season, who converted a low ball from Lewis Travis following an Elder corner recycled by Szmodics.
The Rams continued to create chances. In the 23rd minute, Agyemang chased a high ball, beat Hughes on the left flank, cut inside, and fired just over the bar.
Later, a clever pass from Murkin allowed Travis to strike from 25 yards, with Ivor Pandur producing an excellent save.
Despite Derby’s dominance, Hull struck again against the run of play. Gelhardt intercepted possession and set up McBurnie, who finished to restore Hull’s lead in the 39th minute.
Derby reacted instantly, with Agyemang denied at close range by Pandur, before Szmodics scored in the 42nd minute from a low cross delivered by Agyemang, making it 2–2 and his first goal for the club.
Derby’s players and Head Coach Eustace were visibly frustrated by the poor officiating throughout the half.
Half-time ended with the score level at 2–2, with both teams having had opportunities but neither able to seize control.
Agyemang nearly added a spectacular overhead kick from a Murkin long throw, while Brereton Díaz and Szmodics were denied by Pandur in other promising attacks.
The second period saw Derby continue to probe. Liam Millar looked to exploit space down the left, but Clarke’s defensive work cleared the danger.
Derby’s direct play, led by Agyemang and Brereton Díaz, kept Hull on alert.
In the 68th minute, Szmodics threaded a precise through ball to Clark, who was one-on-one with Pandur, but the goalkeeper made another crucial save.
Additional moments of note included Regan Slater barging Travis to the floor, escaping without any reprimand.
Hull regained the lead in the 75th minute when John Egan received the ball on the turn and struck low past Vickers.
Derby almost responded immediately; substitute Carlton Morris met a powerful low ball from Murkin, but his shot went just over the bar.
Hull then sealed the victory in the 84th minute, when Lewis Koumas broke in behind Derby’s defence and finished clinically to make it 4–2.
Despite continued pressure from the Rams, Hull held firm to secure the win.
Agyemang was Derby’s standout player, constantly threatening Hull’s defence with his pace and direct runs.
Szmodics impressed in midfield, scoring a crucial goal and linking play effectively. Forsyth combined defensive solidity with a birthday goal, while Murkin stretched Hull’s defence with width and dangerous deliveries.
For Hull, McBurnie and Koumas were decisive, with Egan scoring the crucial third goal. Pandur was excellent in goal, producing key saves to keep Hull in the match despite Derby’s dominance.
Derby focused on possession, high pressing, and direct attacks, particularly through Agyemang, Szmodics, Brereton Díaz, and Murkin.
However, Derby’s missed chances, moments of poor defending, and controversial refereeing decisions, including fouls on Agyemang and Travis, contributed to Hull exploiting opportunities efficiently.
Hull, by contrast, relied on clinical finishing, solid counter-attacking, and strong goalkeeping to take all three points.
Hull City: Pandur (GK), Coyle (C), Giles, Hughes, Millar, McBurnie, Egan, Hadziahmetovic, Gelhardt, Joseph, Slater.
Substitutes: Phillips (GK), Lundstram, Drameh, Famewo, Crooks, Dowell, Koumas, McNair, McCarthy.
Derby County: Vickers (GK), Murkin, Forsyth, Clarke, Agyemang, Ozoh, Szmodics, Elder, Brereton Díaz, Lewis Travis (C), Bobby Clark.
Substitutes: O’Donnell (GK), Carlton Morris, Brewster, Joe Ward, Sanderson, Fraulo, Owen Eames, Isaac Gordon, Cruz Allen.
Derby County return to Pride Park Stadium on Saturday, when John Eustace’s side host Blackburn Rovers with a 12:30pm kick-off, looking to bounce back from this defeat.
