Two late goals from Marcelino Núñez and Chuba Akpom shattered Hull City's hopes on a cold Tuesday night at MKM Stadium. The Ipswich Town visitors walked away with a 2-0 win on November 25, 2025, turning what looked like a grinding stalemate into a decisive away victory. The result not only dented Hull’s top-six ambitions but also reinforced Ipswich’s credentials as serious Championship contenders. And the kicker? Akpom, the man who sealed it, used to wear the black and amber stripes himself.
From Stalemate to Shock
For 68 minutes, it was all grit, no glory. Hull City, playing in front of a sparse but vocal crowd of just over 20,000, defended deep. Their captain, Joseph Gelhardt, was everywhere — tackling, intercepting, even carving out half-chances. But the Tigers couldn’t convert. Ipswich, meanwhile, looked clinical without being dominant. Possession was close — 52% to 48% — but the difference was in the final third. Ipswich had 15 shots to Hull’s 10, with six on target. Hull managed just three. The corners told the story too: 6-3 in favor of the visitors.Then, in the 69th minute, it broke. A quick counter from deep. A low cross from the right. Núñez, the Chilean forward signed from Lille last summer, didn’t even break stride. One touch. One finish. The net rippled. The away end erupted. MKM Stadium fell silent. It was the kind of goal that doesn’t just score points — it steals morale.
Akpom’s Homecoming
Just four minutes later, the dagger came. Chuba Akpom — once a Hull City academy star, once the club’s golden boy before his move to Arsenal and later loan spells — received a pass inside the box. He didn’t celebrate. Not right away. He just turned, fired, and buried it. The crowd didn’t boo. They just stared. Some even clapped. It was a moment that didn’t need words.YouTube highlights captured the commentary perfectly: “Chuba Akpom — perhaps waits for a flag but it won’t come.” And then: “Ipswich have doubled the lead and it’s the former whole city looney.” The term “looney” — local slang for a beloved, eccentric figure — carried more weight than any stat. Akpom wasn’t just scoring against his old club. He was scoring against his own past.
He nearly added a third, too. In the 87th minute, substitute J. Philogene-Bidace rattled the post with a curler. The ball spun back into play like it couldn’t believe what it had just missed. The commentary said it best: “He would have loved for that to nestle in the back of the net.”
Managerial Moves That Mattered
Sergey Yakirovic, Ipswich’s manager, made six changes from their last Premier League outing — a bold call, given the physicality of the Championship. He didn’t just rotate. He restructured. He pushed Marcelino Núñez higher, tucked Chuba Akpom into a false nine role, and gave midfield freedom to young fullback C. Drameh, who came on in the 78th minute.Hull’s response was reactive. They threw on attackers — E. Destan, S. W. Egeli, J. Philogene-Bidace — but the timing was too late. By the time they found their rhythm, the game had already slipped away. Two yellow cards each, no reds. No major injuries. Just a slow, painful unraveling.
What This Means for Both Clubs
For Ipswich Town, this win keeps them firmly in the playoff hunt. They’re now just three points off the top six with eight games left. Their away record? Unbeaten in five. Their goal difference? The best in the bottom half of the table. This wasn’t a fluke. It was a statement.For Hull City, it’s a blow. Their last win was over a month ago. They’ve now gone six games without a victory. With the likes of Leeds, Sheffield United, and Blackburn closing in, the top-six dream is slipping. And it’s not just results — it’s identity. They’re losing their edge. Their energy. Their belief.
What’s more, the club’s recruitment strategy is under scrutiny. Gelhardt, their best player, can’t do it alone. The midfield looked disjointed. The fullbacks were caught out too often. And the lack of a clinical striker? That’s the real problem. They spent £12 million on two forwards this summer. Neither has scored more than once.
What’s Next?
Ipswich travel to Preston next Tuesday. Hull City host Swansea on December 1. Neither game is easy. But for Hull, it’s not just about winning — it’s about rediscovering their soul. For Ipswich, it’s about consistency. One win doesn’t make a season. But two goals from a former hero? That’s the kind of story that sticks.Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Chuba Akpom’s goal so emotionally charged for Hull City fans?
Akpom came through Hull’s academy, captained the U21s, and was once considered their next big star before leaving for Arsenal in 2018. He returned on loan in 2021 and scored 14 goals in 29 games — becoming a cult hero. His goal wasn’t just a goal; it was a betrayal of sorts, and fans were left with a mix of admiration and heartbreak.
How did Ipswich Town’s substitutions change the game?
Manager Sergey Yakirovic brought on fresh legs in the final 20 minutes, including C. Drameh and B. Johnson, who added pace and width. The sixth substitution — Akpom replacing G. Hirst in the 67th minute — was the masterstroke. He had 28 minutes to make history, and he did. His movement, awareness, and composure under pressure were the difference.
What’s the significance of MKM Stadium’s pitch conditions?
The natural grass at MKM Stadium, maintained to Premier League standards, favors technical teams. Ipswich’s passing game thrived on it, while Hull’s physical approach struggled to find rhythm. The pitch also played a role in the late goals — crisp, low crosses skidded through the damp grass, making it harder for Hull’s defenders to clear.
How do these results affect Hull City’s promotion chances?
Hull City are now 10th in the Championship table, five points off the playoffs with eight games remaining. Their goal difference is -4, worse than all teams above them. Without a win in six matches and only three goals scored in their last five home games, their promotion hopes are fading fast — unless they find a striker who can finish.
What’s the historical context of Ipswich Town’s performance this season?
Ipswich were relegated from the Premier League in 2002 and have spent most of the last two decades in the lower tiers. This season marks their best run since 2016-17. With 17 wins so far and a squad blending youth (Drameh, 21) and experience (Núñez, 28), they’re not just rebuilding — they’re re-emerging as a force.
Were there any controversial refereeing decisions?
No red cards and only four yellow cards total — two per side — suggest a clean game. The only potential controversy was a 79th-minute challenge by Hull’s K. Joseph that many thought warranted a second yellow. But the referee, Mark Riddell, let it go. No VAR review was triggered. The result stood without dispute.
