HULL CITY are just four points off the Championship play-offs after Jarrod Bowen’s brace secured a 2-0 victory over Birmingham City at Walton Street yesterday.

It was a dominant performance from the Tigers, who were inspired by Bowen’s brilliance throughout. Birmingham endured frustration after being unable to convert decent build-up play into genuine opportunities.

Nigel Adkins believes, now his side are safe from relegation, they are free to have a go at the play-offs.

“Collectively, we played good football,” he said.

“That win puts us on 50 points, which keeps us up, and we are still in the play-off race.

“We were tipped to get relegated by many, and we have at least got another season in the Championship next year.

“There is a feel-good factor around the club. Everyone should have a smile on their face regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season.



“We are in the race. It is a challenge but why not [look at the top six]?”

Hull started brightly and went closest to an opener when Todd Kane met Marc Pugh’s cross with an excellent volley, but he couldn’t quite guide it on target.

Lukas Jutkiewicz almost levelled after an incisive counter-attack, only for his shot to go wide of David Marshall’s goal.

The visitors were certainly threatening when they could, but the home side soon began to take control.

Everything was going through Hull’s left flank. Pugh saw an effort saved well by Lee Camp after decent build-up play before crossing for Bowen to lash home on 23 minutes.



Two opportunities to double the lead before half time went begging. First, Pugh shot straight at Camp from point-blank range after some superb work by Kamil Grosicki. The Pole then shot wide of the near post after cutting in just before half-time.

Birmingham went close after break when Connor Mahoney struck wide via a deflection, but the resulting corner came to nothing.

Garry Monk’s side maintained the pressure, forcing two more corners. The first was dealt with poorly by the Hull defence after a scramble, before Jutkiewicz turned and shot on the half volley, only for Marshall to collect with ease.

All the early second-half positivity was undone on the hour. Bowen, a nuisance for Birmingham all afternoon, showed great pace to burst into the box, only to be brought down by Camp for a penalty. He stepped up and cooly slotted home to make it 2-0.

Linked with a move to the Premier League in January, Bowen seems destined for bigger things sooner rather than later.

Great balance and trickery created an opportunity for his hat-trick after he was slipped in by Chris Martin, but he could only find the side-netting.

Marshall had to be alert to make a couple of smart saves towards the end, but Hull coasted towards their second win in a week, after beating Millwall on Tuesday.

Monk admitted there are no excuses for the visitors’ poor showing.

“Today we were just below our usual levels, and there are no excuses,” he said.

“Every result we have got this season, we have been at our maximum. It is very difficult to reach that level every game in this league.”