The Tigers roared to an impressive away win to cement their place in the top six

Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent

09:00, 21 Jan 2026

It was another memorable away trip for Hull City who made it three straight wins on the road with a convincing 3-0 success at Preston North End on Tuesday night.

A dominant display from City saw them lead 2-0 at the break just as they did at Southampton on Saturday, thanks to goals from Liam Millar and a first in three years from Akin Famewo.

Oli McBurnie added a third in the second half as City threatened to run riot against a hapless Lillywhites side. Their night went from bad to worse in added time when Milutin Osmajic was sent off for headbutting John Lundstram.

Here, City reporter Barry Cooper looks back on arguably the Tigers’ most complete display of an increasingly impressive campaign…

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Yu watch

What a debut that was. He came on early in the second half in place of the unfortunate David Akintola, and he became an instant hit with a terrific display. His first touch was to control the ball before crossing for McBurnie to get on the scoresheet.

Throughout the half, he was direct, keen to take his man on and made things happen. The greatest compliment you can pay him is that he looked like he’d been at the club all season, not 24 hours.

There’s plenty more to come from the Japan international, but on what cameo, it’s hard to understand why Bristol City have allowed him to leave for a team above them in the table.

Joff’s back

It was the perfect scenario for Jakirovic, being able to bring back his star man with 20 minutes to go and 3-0 up away from home. Hearing ‘Joff again’ from the terraces was a delight, and he slotted straight back in.

But for one effort that fizzed just wide and another that the goalkeeper clawed away, Gelhardt would have marked his return to fitness with a goal.

As it was, getting him back on the pitch is a major, major boost for City and only adds to their impressive attacking arsenal at a key stage of the season.

Another fine incoming

That was City’s third brawl, if you can call it that, of the season after Birmingham City and Stoke City. It may have been instigated by Osmajic, who clearly has some serious disciplinary problems, but the flare-up on the bench was another unsavoury moment, whoever was to blame.

After seeing Marko Salatovic sent off at Southampton on Saturday, goalkeeping coach Erbil Bozkurt was dismissed at Deepdale in added time.

City have already been fined twice for the two previous incidents this season, so there will be another one coming their way in the post from the FA.

What, another one?

It just doesn’t get any better, does it? You really have to feel for Sergej Jakirovic, who yet again has been robbed of a major performer in the crucial stages of the season.

Losing Semi Ajayi is cruel, and made even worse by the fact it came in stoppage time at the end of a third-placed game. Ajayi has had his fair share of hamstring troubles, so perhaps it’s not a surprise, but you can’t help but feel for him and City.

His absence, however, offers up the chance for Akin Famewo once Ryan Giles returns at the end of the month, and Cathal McCarthy, who has continued to impress.

The Tigers also expect to be without Kyle Joseph until next weekend when they return to Lancashire to tackle Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Back home

City are back on home soil on Saturday when they welcome Swansea City to the MKM Stadium, and with a flurry of home games to come over the next few weeks to build-on some incredible away results.

Six of the Tigers’ next eight league games come at the MKM Stadium plus the visit of Chelsea in the FA Cup. Jakirovic has corrected the club’s desperate home form this season, but that will be tested once again.

Having lost at home to Stoke City in their last league outing on New Year’s Day, returning to winning ways will be crucial in a bid to create some momentum at home, especially given the six points they’ve claimed from trips to Southampton and Preston.

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