Stirring fightback, Gelhardt's delight and it'll be fun return

Hull City produced a terrific fightback to come from a goal down and beat Stoke City 2-1 at the bet36 Stadium in a game that was turned on its head at halftime.

- By BARRY COOPER

Hull City's Joe Gelhardt (centre, left) celebrates scoring the winner

(NIGEL FRENCH/PA WIRE)

A tepid first half from City saw them a goal down courtesy of Sorba Thomas’ stunning volley, but changes at the break from Sergej Jakirovic saw Semi Ajayi equalise three minutes into the second period before Joe Gelhardt sealed three points in the 90th minute.

It’s the perfect return to winning ways from the Tigers after suffering successive defeats and moves them up to seventh in the Championship, just a point outside the top six, as attention now turns to Friday's showdown with Middlesbrough at the MKM Stadium.

For 45 minutes, City produced another desperately poor display, with the only saving grace being the fact they were only a goal down, and not dead and buried.

Credit to the manager for making changes, and to the players for improving, as the second half was a contest unlike the first. Getting that early goal was crucial, and it gave them a platform to play with more control, helped by Matt Crooks dropping deeper into midfield and Mo Belloumi and Kyle Joseph helping them play further up the pitch.

A point would have been a tremendous return after the first half display, but to win shows this squad have got something special in their ranks, coupled with a manager not afraid to change it when it’s not working.