The head coach of Hull City, Sergei Yakirievich, provided his thoughts following a dramatic 2-2 draw against Everton. While recognising that his side made critical mistakes, he was full of praise for the team’s character and their determination not to give up.
“I witnessed a good but tough game. In the first half, we perhaps lacked precision in our ball control and transitions. However, we capitalised on the opponent’s mistakes and punished them immediately. Unfortunately, we then allowed them to score two goals,” Yakirievich told BBC.
The coach pointed to the goals conceded as a result of glaring errors but highlighted his satisfaction with the team’s mentality.
“I can be pleased with the lads because we showed the right attitude. One point is a good result. Congratulations to both teams. We have a strong character, and we never gave up,” the coach added.
Why wasn't Bellumi in the starting lineup?
Mohamed Bellumi began the match on the bench but made an impact when he came on, scoring the goal that equalised for Hull City.
Yakirievich explained his decision by citing the player’s fatigue due to extensive travel.
“On Friday, he mentioned feeling tired, and there have been plenty of trips. He’s still very young and has faced a few injuries in the past. But he’s an excellent player who can change the course of a match,” the coach reflected.
The coach also stressed the importance of home support and winning more matches, noting the competitive nature of the league table.
“This stadium is a good one for us, our home, our fans. We are not easy to beat. However, we also need to strive to win matches because the table is very tight, and every point counts,” Yakirievich concluded.
