Hull come from behind to beat bottom side Millers

Jaden Philogene-Bidace’s rabona effort was diverted into his own goal by Millers defender Cameron Humphreys-Grant

Hull City consolidated their place in the Championship play-off chase by fighting back to beat bottom side Rotherham United.

Jaden Philogene’s audacious rabona-style strike, which took a deflection off Millers defender Cameron Humphreys-Grant, cancelled out Christ Tiehi’s early opener for the hosts.

A first Hull goal for recent signing Noah Ohio secured the Tigers’ first league double against Rotherham for 40 years.

Despite the win, Hull actually dropped a place due to Norwich – level on points and goal difference – climbing into sixth spot by virtue of goals scored after the Canaries’ 4-2 win over Watford.

Even so, there was no denying Hull’s superiority at the New York Stadium.

Rotherham, meanwhile, ended the game still searching for their first win since Boxing Day and remain 12 points from safety at the foot of the table.

Relive Tuesday’s Championship action as it happened

And yet the evening had started so brightly for the hosts.

Tiehi reacted quickly, in the fourth minute, when Seb Revan’s cross dropped kindly into his path, and his half-volley took a deflection as it flew past Ryan Allsop.

Rotherham did not buckle, despite coming under intense pressure following their early strike, as 38-year-old Hull striker Billy Sharp was denied by the quick reactions of Millers goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.

Hull continued to pursue an equaliser and went close during the final throes of the first half when Anass Zaroury’s corner found Jacob Greaves lurking at the back post. His initial header was saved by the overworked Johansson before the follow-up slithered wide.

Zaroury was presented with his own opportunity to impress after the break with a right-footed strike from the left that was close, but not close enough. Moments later, Philogene saw his header fly over the bar from close range.

Philogene was not to be denied in the 71st minute when he scored with an incredible finish to level for the visitors, punishing Rotherham for being slow to react after Ruben Vinagre struck the crossbar with an angled shot.

The ex-Aston Villa man twisted his marker twice, before striking an angled shot as his kicking right leg swept across the back of his standing left leg. The effort appeared to take a deflection off Humphreys-Grant, but there was no doubt who was claiming it.

It got even better for the visitors four minutes later as they took the lead through Ohio, who scored his first goal since moving from Standard Liege.

Rotherham tried to find a way back into the game but were denied by a Hull side who had no intention of giving up their lead.

The result leaves Hull hopeful of a top-six finish, while Rotherham’s defeat leaves them freefalling towards relegation.

Line-ups

Rotherham

Formation 5-3-2

1Johansson

40Kioso22Odoffin21Peltier24Humphreys28Revan

27Tiéhi8Clucas18Rathbone

14Wyke29Nombe

1Johansson40Kioso22Odoffin21PeltierSubstituted forMorrisonat 67’minutes24HumphreysSubstituted forAppiahat 81’minutes28RevanBooked at 89mins27TiéhiBooked at 68minsSubstituted forRinomhotaat 74’minutes8Clucas18RathboneSubstituted forRibeiro Diasat 81’minutes14WykeSubstituted forEavesat 74’minutes29NombeSubstitutes7Ribeiro Dias9Eaves10Hugill12Rinomhota16Lindsay23Morrison26Phillips30Appiah38Seriki

Hull

Formation 4-2-3-1

17Allsop

2Coyle5Jones4Greaves3Giles

15Morton27Slater

23Philogene45Carvalho47Zaroury

12Sharp

17Allsop2Coyle5Jones4Greaves3Giles15Morton27SlaterSubstituted forTufanat 68’minutes23PhilogeneBooked at 30mins45CarvalhoSubstituted forJacobat 84’minutes47ZarourySubstituted forOhioat 67’minutes12SharpSubstituted forDochertyat 83’minutesSubstitutes6McLoughlin7Tufan8Docherty9Ohio10Traoré29Jacob30Pandur44Connolly50Ömür

Referee:Leigh Doughty

Attendance:10,668

Live Text

Match ends, Rotherham United 1, Hull City 2.

Second Half ends, Rotherham United 1, Hull City 2.

Attempt saved. Sebastian Revan (Rotherham United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Sam Nombe with a headed pass.

Corner, Hull City. Conceded by Viktor Johansson.

Attempt saved. Greg Docherty (Hull City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Attempt missed. Arvin Appiah (Rotherham United) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Cafú.

Corner, Rotherham United. Conceded by Tyler Morton.

Jacob Greaves (Hull City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Tom Eaves (Rotherham United).

Foul by Jaden Philogene (Hull City).

Cafú (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Sebastian Revan (Rotherham United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Jaden Philogene (Hull City) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Sebastian Revan (Rotherham United).

Foul by Ryan Giles (Hull City).