Millwall 0 – 2 Hall City

Hull produced a clinical display at Millwall to win the second leg 2–0 and reach the Championship play-off final.

After a goalless first leg, the deadlock was finally broken midway through the second half at The Den through Mohamed Bellumi. Substitute Joe Gelhard then added a second to take the Tigers to Wembley – with the final on Saturday 23 May.

It continued a remarkable run for City, who secured their first sixth place in seven years with their semi-final win.

They only stayed on the last day of last season and have been under a transfer ban this term under Sergej Zakirovic.

Starting the final day of the season just outside the play-off places, they are now just one game away from returning to the Premier League for the first time since 2017. Since then they have been relegated to League One for one season.

It took until the 64th minute of the second leg to finally break the deadlock. Bellumi was found by Matt Crooks and he cut inside the box to curl a superb opener.

And 15 minutes later the tie was sealed. Now a clinical counter. Bellumi was at the center again, as he stepped forward before skidding a ball across the box for Gelhardt.

He had just been introduced as a sub, but showed incredible composure to hit a low shot that skimmed through Anthony Patterson’s hands and over the line.

The away end behind the goal burst. Three home stands were destroyed. But on the balance of play, especially in the second leg, Hull deserved to win.

Zakirovic: Maybe the best thing happened in football in my life

hull boss Sergej Zakirovich on Sky Sports:

“It’s an amazing feeling. We were great today. It was a very tough, demanding game.

“We knew they would start well, but we responded well and now we go to Wembley.

“I’ve had great success as a coach so far, winning championships and everything, but it’s probably number one because we had all the problems during the season with a lot of injuries and, as I said, bans.

“It’s probably the best thing that’s ever happened to football in my life.”

Neil Hull dismissed the substitution error for the opener

Millwall boss Alex took it Alfie dismissed the idea that Doughty’s introduction could cost them the tie.

Midway through the second half, the left-back was substituted for Jack Sturges and moments later he beat Bellumi to score the crucial first goal.

“What to do, not bring anyone?” said the Millwall boss Sky Sports When asked if Doughty was familiar with the pace of the game.

“You know what I mean? Your job as a player is to come forward, be at the pace of the game and do your job the right way.

“You wouldn’t do it any other way, would you? If they came forward and scored immediately, you wouldn’t say, ‘Oh well, he couldn’t have been like the speed of the game.’

“It doesn’t concern me. The guys who come on the pitch and the guys who start the game should be fit and ready and available.”

‘Magnificent’ Hull deserve their day at Wembley

Sky Sports’ Andy Hinchcliffe at The Den:

“A lot of observers thought, it’s Millwall at home, it’s clear they’re going to win and go to Wembley.

“But the way Hull play, it’s not about dominating the ball, it’s about individuals who can change the course of a match.

“They’ve done that all season, that’s why they’re in the playoffs and that’s why they got through this second leg. They were great tonight.

“They had a bit of a sticky patch in the first half but I think they controlled the midfield, they were devastating when the subs came on and they thoroughly deserved their day at Wembley.

“Southampton and Middlesbrough will do their homework on Hull, but you have to be very wary of them. They’ve shown all season, if you underestimate them or don’t plan for the way they play, you’re going to get rattled.”

‘It was the most open year – people wouldn’t accept Millwall next season’

Curtis Davies on Sky Sports Football:

“It’s Millwall and they’re always going to be realistic. If you get an offer of £15-20m for Femi Aziz, he’s going. In my opinion you have to take it.

“If you want to build with that money, then fine but, unfortunately, we talk about teams that are already relegating from the Premier League – Wolves and Burnley are relegating and potentially Spurs or West Ham – with big budgets and we don’t know where it will go. Will Millwall be able to compete with them? No.

“It was the best year for everyone. It was the most open year. You’re not going to get Sheffield United who were as bad as they were this year, Norwich are going to be better next year. All these teams are going to improve.

“It’s not a missed opportunity because they can come again, but you have to add that quality because next season people will be watching Millwall. They won’t take them for granted.”