Ipswich Town stun Hull City 2-0 as Akpom scores first goal in Championship win

When Ipswich Town traveled to the MKM Stadium on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, few expected them to leave with three points. But after a sluggish, frustrating first half, the Tractor Boys woke up — and Chuba Akpom made sure they’d never forget it. His first goal for the club, followed by a clinical strike from Marcelino Nunez, sealed a 2-0 away win over Hull City in the EFL Championship MKM Stadium, in front of 21,271 fans. The result wasn’t pretty early on — but it was decisive. And it might just be the turning point Ipswich Town needed.

First half: A battle of missed chances and misplaced passes

The opening 45 minutes were a study in frustration. Ipswich Town, under manager Sergey Yakirovic, started with six changes from their previous outing. The plan? Build from the back, press high, and find space. Instead, they looked disjointed. Fans watching on Sky Sports GAMEDAY described it as "so many misplaced passes," with zero shots on target in the first half. Meanwhile, Hull City, despite their 4-2-3-1 formation and the much-hyped Hull City's weapon — Joe Gelhardt — barely threatened. Their first real chance didn’t come until the 30th minute, a half-hearted effort from Kyle Joseph that goalkeeper Bartosz Białkowski easily saved.

"It was like quite neat and tidy, some sloppiness as well," one Ipswich supporter told Sky Sports. "But without really penetrating. Like with that was like the weekend." The atmosphere in Hull grew heavy. The home crowd, once hopeful after a promising start to the season, fell silent as their team struggled to find rhythm.

Second half: Subs spark life, Nunez opens the scoring

The change came at halftime. Yakirovic didn’t just tweak — he transformed. Three substitutions injected pace, energy, and intent. And within seven minutes of the restart, Marcelino Nunez did what his teammates couldn’t: finish. A quick one-two with Jaden Philogene down the left, a cut inside, and a low, curling strike past Ivor Pandur. The goal wasn’t a fluke — it was the product of renewed focus. The Ipswich Town bench erupted. The away end, which had been muted for 45 minutes, roared back to life.

"We stuck with it," said another fan. "And to be fair, although Hull didn’t create much, they probably had the better two chances in the first half. But you know, I think second half he came out and started quite well. The subs made a big difference." Then, in the 68th minute, it got better. A long ball over the top from midfield found Chuba Akpom, who had been largely anonymous until then. He held off a clumsy challenge from Semi Ajayi, turned sharply, and fired low into the far corner. The YouTube highlights transcript confirmed it: "Well, Akpom’s first goal for Ipswich." The moment was emotional — not just for the goal, but for what it represented. Akpom, signed on a free transfer from Marseille last summer, had been under pressure to deliver. He did. And he did it on the road, against a team fighting to stay in the playoff hunt.

Near misses and tactical resilience

The visitors didn’t stop there. Substitute Jaden Philogene nearly made it 3-0 in the 79th minute, smashing a shot off the post after a blistering run down the flank. "Coyle as Ipswich go after a third and they almost get it," the commentator noted. "Philogene rattles the post. Well, certainly made an impact since he’s come on." Hull City’s attempts to respond were half-hearted. Darko Gyabi, their most creative player, was tightly marked. Joel Ndala, on the wing, was isolated. And with Amir Hadziahmetovic and Regan Slater holding the midfield, there was no outlet. By the final whistle, Ipswich had 14 shots to Hull’s 5 — and 8 of those came after the break.

Why this win matters

This wasn’t just three points. It was validation. Ipswich Town had been criticized for their lack of cutting edge in the first half of the season. They’d drawn too many games they should’ve won. But this? This was a statement. On the road. Against a side with higher expectations. With a new attacking duo clicking — Nunez, the veteran finisher, and Akpom, the hungry striker finally finding his rhythm.

It also exposed the fragility of Hull City. Once again, they looked directionless. Their 4-2-3-1 formation looked more like a 4-4-2 with no width. Joe Gelhardt, the "weapon" mentioned in previews, was neutralized. And with no clear leader on the pitch, the team seemed to fold under pressure.

What’s next?

Ipswich now sit just outside the playoff zone, one point behind 6th place. With 21 games left, this win could be the spark. They face a tricky away fixture at Cardiff City next, but the confidence is back. For Hull, the pressure mounts. They’re now 14th, five points from the top six, and their January transfer window will need to be decisive.

The stats tell the story: 6 changes, 3 subs, 2 goals, 0 clean sheets conceded. The Ipswich Town fans who stayed until the end? They left smiling. For the first time in weeks, they believed.