Hull City 3-2 Portsmouth: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ post-match review of Hull City 3-2 Portsmouth in the Championship on Saturday, 08 November 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

What a thrilling encounter at the MKM Stadium! Hull City clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory over Portsmouth, extending their impressive run of form. The Tigers have now won three of their last five matches, showcasing their resilience and attacking prowess. The game was a rollercoaster, with Hull coming from behind to secure the win, which might have surprised some given Portsmouth’s recent struggles. Enis Destan and Joe Gelhardt were pivotal, with their goals turning the tide in Hull’s favour. This result not only boosts Hull’s confidence but also puts a dent in Portsmouth’s hopes of climbing the table.

Portsmouth, on the other hand, will be gutted to leave with nothing after taking the lead early on. Their recent form has been dismal, with this loss marking their fourth defeat in six games. Terry Devlin’s brace gave them hope, but Hull’s relentless pressure paid off. The visitors showed spirit but lacked the cutting edge to hold onto their lead. This defeat is a setback, but they’ll need to regroup quickly if they’re to turn their season around.

The stats paint a picture of a closely contested match, with Hull City edging possession at 57% to Portsmouth’s 43%. Both teams had an equal number of corners, with five each, indicating a battle for dominance in the final third. Hull’s lower successful dribble percentage (36%) compared to Portsmouth’s 63% suggests the Tigers relied more on passing and movement rather than individual skill to break down the opposition. The higher number of yellow cards for Portsmouth (3) compared to Hull’s single booking reflects a more disciplined approach from the home side, which might have contributed to their late surge and eventual victory.

The game’s turning points were undoubtedly the goals. Portsmouth took the lead through Terry Devlin in the 15th minute, but Hull responded swiftly with Enis Destan’s equaliser in the 27th, assisted by Lewie Coyle. Hull went in front through Kyle Joseph, assisted by Joe Gelhardt, in the 42nd minute, only for Devlin to score in first-half added time for Pompey. The decisive moment came in the 79th minute when Gelhardt, assisted by Charlie Hughes, scored the winning goal for Hull. These moments of brilliance and resilience from Hull ultimately decided the match’s outcome.

Hull City lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allowed them to control the midfield and launch attacks effectively. The backline, led by John Egan and Charlie Hughes, provided a solid foundation, while the attacking trio of Joe Gelhardt, Matt Crooks, and Enis Destan caused havoc for the Portsmouth defence. The formation and player selection paid dividends, as Hull managed to come from behind to secure the win, showcasing their tactical flexibility and attacking threat..

Portsmouth opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation, aiming to be compact and to counter-attack. The back three of Regan Poole, Josh Knight, and Ibane Bowat provided a solid base, but the midfield and attack struggled to maintain their lead. Terry Devlin’s brace was a highlight, but the team’s inability to hold onto their advantage suggests that the formation and player choices might need re-evaluation to improve their defensive stability and overall performance.

Joe Gelhardt earns the Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match for his crucial contributions to Hull City’s victory. His assist for Kyle Joseph’s equaliser and his winning goal in the 79th minute were pivotal moments in the game. Gelhardt’s ability to perform under pressure and influence the outcome of the match makes him a standout performer and a deserving recipient of this accolade.

Recent Championship matches:

• Win: 3-2 vs Portsmouth (H)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Derby County (A)
• Win: 2-0 vs Norwich City (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Charlton Athletic (H)
• Win: 2-1 vs Leicester City (H)

Recent Championship matches:

• Loss: 2-3 vs Hull City (A)
• Draw: 0-0 vs Wrexham (H)
• Loss: 0-4 vs Birmingham City (A)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Stoke City (H)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Coventry City (H)

Currently sitting in 5th place with 25 points, Hull City will face Queens Park Rangers, who are in 16th place with 19 points, on November 22, 2025 at 15:00.

Struggling in 20th place with 14 points, Portsmouth will take on Millwall, who are in 6th place with 25 points, on November 22, 2025 at 15:00.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.