Hull City are turning up the heat in the Championship after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Portsmouth at the MKM Stadium on November 8, 2025. The win, their fifth in the last eight games, has propelled them into the fringes of the playoff places, much to the delight of their fans. Meanwhile, Portsmouth's struggles continue, leaving them languishing near the bottom of the table.
The match was a rollercoaster affair, with momentum swinging between the two sides throughout the 90 minutes. Portsmouth drew first blood with Terry Devlin finding the net early in the first half. Hull responded swiftly, with Enis Destan canceling out Devlin's deflected goal. Kyle Joseph then put Hull ahead, only for Devlin to grab his second, heading in a cross from Josh Murphy just before the break, ensuring parity going into half-time. The second half was a tense affair, with both teams battling for control. The decisive moment arrived in the 77th minute when Joe Gelhardt, on loan from Leeds, calmly chipped the ball over Portsmouth's goalkeeper Josef Bursik after latching onto a long ball from Charlie Hughes. This was Gelhardt's fifth goal in six games, highlighting his importance to Hull's recent form.
Hull's recent form is in stark contrast to Portsmouth's, who are struggling to find consistency. While Hull's offense has been firing on all cylinders, Portsmouth have struggled to score goals, with only 10 goals in 14 matches. Hull's 23 goals, the second-highest in the league, demonstrate their attacking prowess. However, defensively, both teams have had their issues. Hull has conceded 22 goals, while Portsmouth has conceded 17.
The match also highlighted individual errors, with Preston's goalkeeper Daniel Iversen's costly mistake leading to a 1-1 draw against Millwall. Such errors can prove to be very costly in a league as competitive as the Championship.
Looking ahead, Hull will be hoping to maintain their momentum as they face QPR on November 22nd. Portsmouth, on the other hand, will be desperate to turn their fortunes around as they face Millwall on the same day. The Championship is a marathon, not a sprint, and there is still plenty of time for both teams to achieve their goals. However, Hull's recent form suggests they are well-placed to challenge for a playoff spot, while Portsmouth need to find a solution to their struggles quickly.
Other notable results in the Championship saw Derby secure a 2-1 victory at Blackburn, marking their fifth successive win. Bristol City and Watford played out a 1-1 draw on Friday. These results highlight the unpredictable nature of the Championship, where any team is capable of beating another on their day.
