Ajayi Bounces Back from Injury as Hull Edge Sheffield United
Super Eagles defender, Semi Ajayi, marked his long-awaited return from injury on Saturday as Hull City secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Sheffield United in a thrilling Championship encounter at the MKM Stadium.
Ajayi, who had been sidelined for more than a month with a hamstring problem, made his comeback in the final minutes of the match. However, his return nearly turned disastrous when he conceded a penalty just three minutes after coming on. The Nigerian international brought down Danny Ings inside the box, giving Sheffield United a lifeline to level the score late in the game.
Fortunately for Hull, goalkeeper Ivor Pandur came to the rescue with a remarkable save from Harrison Burrows’ spot-kick — his first-ever penalty save in professional football — sparking huge celebrations among the home supporters. Pandur’s heroics ultimately ensured Hull held onto their narrow lead and claimed all three points.
Earlier in the contest, Hull City took the lead midway through the first half when David Akintola’s driven shot took a wicked deflection off Chiedozie Ogbene, wrong-footing the Sheffield United goalkeeper and nestling into the corner of the net. The goal set the tone for a fiercely competitive match filled with end-to-end action.
Sheffield United dominated much of the second half, pressing relentlessly in search of an equaliser. Gus Hamer struck the post with a powerful drive, while Cameron Archer and Ings both came close to finding the back of the net in the dying moments. Despite their pressure, Hull’s resolute backline — marshalled by captain Jacob Greaves — stood firm to preserve the lead.
Speaking after the game, Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic praised his team’s resilience and mental toughness in grinding out the result.
“It’s a massive win,” he told BBC Radio Humberside. “From the first minute, you could tell it was going to be a battle across every blade of grass. The players fought for every ball, and I’m proud of the way they defended. Thank God Ivor saved the penalty — it was a huge moment for us and a great confidence boost for him.”
Jakirovic also expressed satisfaction with Ajayi’s return, noting that the defender’s gradual reintegration into the squad would add valuable depth to the team’s defensive options as the season progresses.
The victory lifted Hull City to tenth place in the Championship standings, marking only their second home clean sheet in 26 matches — a significant improvement in their defensive record. For Sheffield United, however, the defeat compounded their woes, marking their seventh loss in nine games and leaving Chris Wilder’s side rooted to the bottom of the table with mounting pressure on the manager.
Ajayi’s return, despite the late scare, was a positive sign for both Hull City and Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who will be counting on the defender to regain full fitness ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifiers.
