Ipswich Town 1-0 Hull City: McKenna's Side Secures Narrow Win To Boost Promotion Hopes

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Azor Matusiwa’s late winner gave Ipswich Town a vital 1-0 home victory over Hull City, strengthening Championship promotion hopes and marking Kieran McKenna’s 100th win in 210 matches as manager. The result kept Ipswich within three points of second-place Middlesbrough, and McKenna’s side still held a valuable game in hand.

The contest between fourth and fifth stayed tight for long spells, but Ipswich created clearer chances. Jack Taylor and George Hirst both threatened before half-time, as the hosts carried more attacking intent. Hull City struggled to build pressure, and Ipswich’s defence limited meaningful openings throughout a disciplined and organised display.

The breakthrough arrived in the 71st minute when Matusiwa unleashed a powerful long-range strike that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar past Ivor Pandur. Soon afterwards, Pandur kept Hull City in contention with a sharp save from Clarke, yet Ipswich Town’s single goal stood firm and delivered a 12th league home win.

Performance numbers underlined Ipswich Town’s control. McKenna’s team produced 1.54 expected goals from 15 attempts, while Hull City managed 0.27 xG from six shots and did not hit the target. Ipswich earned a 13th clean sheet of the Championship campaign, with only Millwall posting more, having collected 14 shutouts so far.

Hull City’s failure to register a shot on target was notable, as it was the club’s first Championship match without one since January 2025 against Middlesbrough. The result highlighted Ipswich Town’s strong defensive standards under Kieran McKenna and kept the promotion race tense near the top of the Championship table.