The Tigers moved to within four points of top spot with a first 0-0 in the league since the opening day

Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent

09:00, 04 Feb 2026

Hull City played out their first goalless draw in the Championship since the opening day, after being held by managerless Watford on Tuesday night.

A fairly low-key encounter was short on chances from the home side, with Watford the better and more threatening in front of goal, and arguably missed a glorious chance to win it.

For City, their impressive form continues, and it’s another clean sheet to add to a growing tally, notching up back-to-back shut-outs for the first time this season.

Here, City reporter Barry Cooper looks back on a point gained in the promotion race….

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Take the point

There will be an element of frustration that City couldn’t make it five straight wins and close the gap on the top two to just two points, but they’re not going to win every game.

Watford are a difficult side, full of good players and the fact they didn’t have a manager made things more difficult in many ways. Four points from the two games in the week so far is positive.

It’s about adding as many points as possible to your tally, and if you can’t win it, don’t lose it. City have a nine-point cushion to seventh place, with three home games in a row. They’re in a fantastic position.

City summed up

The Tigers’ biggest asset this season is their spirit, their battling qualities and sheer desire to fight for themselves, their teammates, the club and fans.

One thing you know from this side is even when they’re not at their flowing best, they’ll graft, they’ll fight and try their damndest to get something from the game.

That level of team spirit, the will to never give up and get something from the game is impressive, and it got them through. It’s something to admire.

A big positive

Ryan Giles made his return after five weeks out and got a useful cameo. Kieran Dowell showed glimpses of his quality, and you’d expect he’ll get stronger as he gets more minutes, and the same, too, with John Lundstram and Joe Gelhardt as they continue their comebacks. Both look short of match fitness and sharpness, which will gradually return.

The Tigers’ squad is looking better with many more options, though it does feel like they’re really missing Matt Crooks in the middle of the park, just to knit things together a bit more.

A change is coming

Yu Hirakawa will not be eligible to face Bristol City on Saturday, under the terms of his loan agreement from Bristol City. The Japan international will be back in the squad to face Chelsea next Friday night.

Hirakawa’s enforced absence hands the opportunity to somebody else to grasp the opportunity this weekend, but also makes Jakirovic’s life a tad easier in one respect.

It creates the opportunity to have Toby Collyer in a matchday squad for the first time, and a chance for him to get some minutes under his belt after his calf injury.

One more to go

Attention for the Tigers will now turn to the visit of Bristol City on Saturday, and gaining some revenge for their 4-2 beating at Ashton Gate way back at the beginning of the season.

City were torn to pieces in that first half, despite taking the lead through Joe Gelhardt early on. The Robins don’t appear quite the same force they were on that afternoon, and have lost some big players in the window.

They will, however, surely be smarting after that 5-0 thrashing at home to Derby County in front of the television cameras last weekend, and keen to respond. The classic wounded animal.

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