Millwall's long-standing Championship playoff curse struck again as Mohamed Belloumi's second-half strike propelled Hull City to a 2-0 victory at The New Den, sending the Tigers into the playoff final and leaving the Lions to rue another near-miss. Alex Neil's side, who finished 10 points clear of Hull and narrowly missed automatic promotion on the final day, were heavy favorites to reach Wembley. Yet, for the fourth time in their history, Millwall fell at the semi-final stage, following similar heartbreaks in 1991, 1994, and 2002.
Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic, operating on a modest budget, surprised observers by switching to a back five formation, a move that unsettled Millwall's rhythm from the outset. The Tigers made a bright start, with Charlie Hughes forcing an early save from Anthony Patterson in the 10th minute. The visitors, who had won 3-1 at The New Den during the regular season, looked confident and well-organized.
Millwall gradually found their footing. Thierno Ballo had a header hacked off the line by Kyle Joseph, and Femi Azeez forced a sharp save from Hull goalkeeper Ivor Pandur. Azeez, a winger who rose from the eighth tier with Northwood, was Millwall's most consistent attacking threat throughout the night. However, despite their pressure, clear-cut chances remained scarce.
The first half saw a major blow for Hull when Kyle Joseph limped off with a nasty ankle injury, replaced by Mohamed Belloumi. There was also a penalty appeal for the home side when Casper De Norre's cross struck Charlie Hughes on the arm, but referee Sam Barrott deemed it a natural position and waved play on. The decision drew jeers from the home crowd but ultimately proved irrelevant.
After the interval, Hull continued to threaten on the counter. Oli McBurnie was denied by a goal-line clearance from Tristan Crama after Regan Slater set him up. Neil responded by introducing Mihailo Ivanovic and switching to a 4-4-2 formation, followed by the experienced Alfie Doughty and Barry Bannon. But it was the tactical shift from the visitors that paid off.
Belloumi, already a constant menace down the left flank, produced a moment of magic in the 70th minute. Cutting inside from the edge of the area, the Algerian curled a stunning shot that beat Patterson and struck the far post before nestling in the net. The away end erupted in wild celebrations as Hull took the lead against the run of play.
Millwall pushed for an equalizer, but their efforts were disjointed. Ivanovic headed over from a promising position, and Bannon's loose pass almost gifted Hull a second. That second goal arrived when Joe Gelhardt, another substitute, met Belloumi's cross with his first touch. The ball squirmed through Patterson's fingers and trickled over the line, sealing Millwall's fate and sparking further ecstasy among the traveling fans.
The defeat extends a painful pattern for Millwall, who have now lost four Championship playoff semi-finals. The only silver lining for their supporters is the prospect of renewing rivalry with West Ham in the Championship next season, having last faced them in 2012. Despite finishing well ahead of Hull in the standings, Neil's side could not convert their regular-season superiority into a Wembley berth.
Hull, meanwhile, become the first sixth-placed team to reach the playoff final since Frank Lampard's Derby County in 2019. With a limited budget, Jakirovic has defied the odds to lead his team this far. They will now face either [opponent] at Wembley, with a place in the Premier League at stake. The Tigers will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds once again.
Neil had urged Millwall's fans to make it a night to remember, and the atmosphere was electric as 'No one likes us, we don't care' rang out pre-match. But despite their huff and puff, Millwall lacked the cutting edge when it mattered most. Hull's bravery and tactical discipline were rewarded, and the curse continues for the Lions.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.