Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic celebrates ‘very important three points’ at Millwall

Hull head coach Sergej Jakirovic was able to reflect on another successful day on the road against a high-flying opponent after defeating Millwall at the Den.

The Tigers’ previous away trip had seen them come from behind to defeat a Stoke side who had begun the day second in the Sky Bet Championship, but this time they surged ahead in the early stages through Kyle Joseph’s double.

They were also helped along the way by a red card to Millwall top scorer Femi Azeez as they kept themselves sixth in the table and inflicted the Lions’ first defeat in five games.

Jakirovic said: “Every time is a very important three points, especially here, Millwall away. It’s not easy, they’re a very demanding team.

“I think that we started the game slow, but after our transitions we put them under pressure, especially Kyle scoring a fast two goals, and we were more calm on the ball and we won a lot of duels in midfield, so we were very good in the first half.

“In the second half, we tried to search for a third goal because you never know at 2-0 – if it’s 2-1 then everything will really explode here.

“After the red card it was easier for us, but I was not so pleased with how we reacted after having an extra man because we conceded a goal and then everything gets open.

“After the third goal, it was obvious that it’s finished, so a great three points and the boys deserve to celebrate.”

Hull led after just six minutes when the unmarked Joseph guided Mohamed Belloumi’s cross into the bottom corner.

A slick move doubled the Tigers’ lead when Amir Hadziahmetovic put Liam Millar in behind and his ball across goal allowed Joseph to tap in his second.

Millwall had Azeez sent off for kicking out at Joseph after 76 minutes, but they rekindled hopes of an unlikely comeback through Aidomo Emakhu’s composed finish after he was played in by Alfie Doughty’s defence-splitting pass.

But substitute Oli McBurnie finally made the result safe for Hull with two minutes to go by heading in a terrific cross from captain Lewie Coyle.

Millwall boss Alex Neil was adamant Hull should have been reduced to 10 men first after Millar was not shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away in the 63rd minute.

He said: “It’s a key component in the game because it happens before I make my changes.

“There were over 30 minutes to go and then I think it’s seven minutes at the end of the game [for stoppages], so it was nearly 40 minutes for us to find two goals.

“We find a goal when we’re at 10 men, when it’s 2-0, so I’m pretty confident we would have had more opportunities, more chances and potentially got something from the game.

“Under any circumstances in any game, in any rulebook you want to look at, that is a sending-off.

“I went to see the referee, I’ve told him my thoughts and my opinions on it – that won’t change, I’ve seen it back.

“It’s the most blatant sending-off you’ll ever see, and I’m not really one who runs about going ‘we want bookings’, but it’s a sending-off whatever way you want to cut it.”