Final Score: Hull City 0, Middlesbrough 1 – Championship Match Highlights

In a heart-stopping finale, Alex Gilbert emerged as the hero for Middlesbrough, finding the net in the dying moments of the match to secure a crucial victory against Hull City.

As the clock ticked down, and with Boro on the verge of yet another disappointing draw, Delano Burgzorg tore down the left flank and expertly set up his fellow substitute Gilbert, who slotted home from close range, sending the away fans into raptures.

Prior to that dramatic moment, Hayden Hackney had nearly punched through with a powerful strike that rattled the Hull post in a nail-biting second half.

Both Finn Azaz and Burgzorg had threatening attempts for Michael Carrick’s side, but it was Gilbert who ultimately delivered the decisive blow.

Gilbert’s late strike catapults Boro to fifth place in the Championship standings—an uplift that stings for Hull City, who find themselves entrenched in the relegation zone despite a showing of potential following the arrival of their new manager, Ruben Selles.

For much of the first half, Boro struggled to create clear chances, registering only fleeting opportunities. A particularly glaring one arose when Hull were caught floundering while attempting to construct from the back; Alfie Jones was apprehended by Isaiah Jones, but Azaz couldn’t capitalize, needlessly firing over the bar.

Hull keeper Ivor Pandur also displayed his athleticism, producing a superb save to deny Riley McGree’s ambitious effort from the edge of the penalty area.

After the break, Middlesbrough cranked up the pressure, leaving Hull desperately trying to contain their attacks. They fought valiantly, but keeper Pandur had to intervene when Hackney let fly with a long-range effort that seemed destined for the net.

In a pivotal tactical switch, Carrick made a trio of substitutions, introducing Ben Doak alongside Neto Borges and Burgzorg, and his gamble paid off handsomely.

Boro immediately looked revitalized, as Hackney found the woodwork, and Pandur was forced into action again, diving to parry efforts from both Burgzorg and Azaz.

Yet, it was the final change that turned the tide. Carrick’s introduction of Gilbert for Azaz transformed the match, leading to Gilbert’s decisive strike and the ultimate triumph.

Hull City boss Ruben Selles lamented the cruel fate after the match, expressing:

“That [goal] being in the last seconds is hard to take. It hurts because if you cannot win it – and sometimes it happens like that – then you don’t lose it at the very end.

“It was a game that didn’t look like it was going to be for us, but we need to learn to at least get that point at the very end.

“Middlesbrough are a good team, they are powerful, and the players on the pitch were doing a good job and then the substitutions made them better.

“We needed to put in a lot of effort and we probably need to know how to navigate those moments.

“The goal that late, with the amount of effort everyone put in, it’s a little bit of heartbreak.”

In contrast, Middlesbrough’s Michael Carrick joyously reflected:

“Those [late goals] are the ones where you get that instant emotion that pours out of you in those situations – it’s why we love the game.

“The players have been giving everything, we kept going until the end, and it was a fantastic day for us. We need to use it as a bit of a springboard.

“You can see how much it means to the boys, how we’re together. The spirit gets us through in the end.

“I thought we deserved it. In the end, it came and we can enjoy that one, that’s for certain.

“I honestly didn’t give up. It was a fantastic way to finish the game.”