Akintola fires home to break Blades curse

CITY GO INTO INTERNATIONAL BREAK IN UPBEAT MOOD AFTER FIRST HOME VICTORY OVER UNITED SINCE 2018

- By BARRY COOPER

Sheffield United's Gustavo Hamer (front centre) reacts after having a shot

(RICHARD SELLERS/ PA WIRE)

Hull City’s long wait for a clean sheet and even longer wait for a home victory over Sheffield United was finally ended on Saturday when they beat the Blades 1-0 at the MKM Stadium, to leave the South Yorkshire side rooted to the foot of the table.

A tight, scrappy first half was settled on David Akintola’s deflected volley on the half-hour, when his rising effort cannoned off the arm of Chiedozie Ogbene and into the far corner.

City had to withstand major pressure in the second half and needed Ivor Pandur to deny Harrison Burrows from the penalty spot in the closing stages, but this was a huge home success for the Tigers against the Blades with a gritty, well-organised display.

Sergej Jakirovic made four changes from the start of Tuesday night's 2-2 draw with Preston; in came Regan Slater, Darko Gyabi, Akintola and Joe Gelhardt, while there was a return to the squad for Matt Crooks, but Kyle Joseph was absent through illness.