Sergej Jakirovic hails Hull’s ‘very big three points’ against Middlesbrough

Sergej Jakirovic felt Hull beat one of the “top three teams in the league” as they claimed a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

Darko Gyabi scored the only goal of the game after 12 minutes as he slotted home after some excellent approach play in the 18-yard box from Kyle Joseph.

Boro beat Hull 4-1 at the MKM Stadium at the start of the month, but the Teessiders were unable to seriously threaten Ivor Pandur on home soil, with the visiting goalkeeper making routine saves from Hayden Hackney and Delano Burgzorg in the second half.

Jakirovic said: “It’s a very big three points for us, especially against Boro, who for me, are among the top three teams in the league. They showed that when they played against us three weeks ago.

“We tried to change our system today because they are very dangerous, playing with their wingers inside. I thought we did that very well. We showed a lot of discipline, especially with our defending.

“We showed a good reaction, especially after the game against Sheffield Wednesday. We showed very good energy, and the clean sheet is a big plus for us. We have been desperate for a clean sheet, and here, at this place, it was very important.”

The win has taken the Tigers to within two points of second-placed Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship table, and extended their unbeaten run to five matches.

“I think we are playing an incredible season, completely opposite from the last one,” Jakirovic added.

“We are struggling with a lot of injuries, players who are statistically very important for us, but we are keeping going well.

“We have won and we are very happy, but on Thursday we have to go again. And we will have to do it without another player after the injury to Ryan Giles.”

Defeat means Middlesbrough have now failed to win any of their last three matches and without scoring in any of those games.

They dominated possession against Hull, but just five of their 23 efforts at goal were on target.

Boro boss Kim Hellberg said: “I’m disappointed. I’m disappointed over the result, of course, but not scoring a goal too. Making the game look like this and not even coming away with a point, never mind all three points, is not good enough.

“It’s a big, big disappointment. It’s a tough night. That can be the way when you pick this type of work, in terms of being a football coach, you can have very dark nights. From that, you have to try to find the light again, and you go again. That’s how it is.

“I think we have to be honest. Today, it’s a little bit of a lack of quality in the finishing situation. We need to be honest with that and that I need to help the players in their positioning, to get them into better positions.

“We need to work on it together and try to find a structure for them to finish from their best positions as often as possible.”