Gelhardt stunner seals big Tigers win over Pompey

DEFEFNSIVE DIFFICULTIES CAN'T STOP CITY MOVING INTO THE TOP SIX FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS

- By BARRY COOPER

Portsmouth midfielder Terry Devlin (24) celebrates one of his two goals

(SMARTFRAME/PRO SPORTS IMAGES)

Joe Gelhardt’s stunning finish was enough for Hull City to come from behind to win a five-goal thriller against Portsmouth at the MKM Stadium and bounce back from defeat at Derby County in midweek.

Despite a promising start which saw the Tigers pass up two good chances, the visitors were in front after 16 minutes when Terry Devlin's volley ricocheted off Kyle Joseph and into the net, a sign of things to come in a frantic first period.

The Tigers were back on terms just before the half-hour when Lewie Coyle's cross was swept home by Enis Destan on his full debut.

Joseph headed in his third goal of the season to make it 2-1 before the break, but unfortunately, City's inability to do the basics of defending cost them a second on the stroke of the break when Amir Hadziahmetovic was too slow on the ball, was tackled and Josh Murphy swung in a stunning cross for Devlin to glance in his second having been left to saunter into the box unmarked.

Gelhardt's terrific finish from a lovely ball over the top from Charlie Hughes was enough for the Tigers to come out on top and match last season's home record before we've made mid-November, and send them off into the international break firmly in the playoff race.