Hull City’s newest Premier League recruits continued their impressive start to the season by edging past Stoke City in the Carabao Cup after a 1‑1 stalemate at the bet365 Stadium was settled by a 5‑4 penalty shoot‑out. The Tigers, who had stunned Manchester United just days earlier, were forced to rely on spot‑kicks to secure progression, demonstrating both composure and depth in a match that featured several debutants and a flurry of tactical adjustments. The opening half‑hour saw Robert Bozenik give the home side the lead. The Slovakian forward capitalised on a precise cross from Wales international Sorba Thomas, who had cut in from the left flank before whipping a low ball into the box.
Bozenik rose above the defence and headed the ball past goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, who had been rested for the game, giving Stoke an early advantage. Hull, however, responded promptly. Just before the break, Kieran Dowell equalised for the visitors after a well‑timed run into the box and a deft finish that left the Stoke keeper with little chance.
Both sides entered the dressing rooms level, and the second half unfolded with a mixture of youthful exuberance and seasoned grit. Hull’s manager Sergej Jakirovic, who had already made eleven changes to the side that beat Manchester United, continued to rotate his squad, handing full debuts to Lucas Herrington and Matt Targett, while also introducing midfield duo Jens Hjerto‑Dahl and Lucas Gourna‑Douath. The early minutes of the second period featured an encouraging display from Hjerto‑Dahl, who opened his body and curled a shot towards the far post; the effort was narrowly pushed wide by Stoke’s defender Josh Griffiths.
Stoke’s own attempts to seize the initiative were equally spirited. Paddy McNair headed a Liam Millar corner wide at the back post, and the visitors enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges in the second half.
After a disappointing start to the Championship campaign – losing their first two fixtures, including a 2‑1 defeat to Swansea on opening day – Stoke’s manager Mark Robins made seven alterations, reinstating Bozenik, Luke Graham, Ben Pearson, Tomas Rigo, Million Manhoef and Laurence Giani into the starting eleven. The match’s tempo increased as both sides pressed for a winner.
David Akintola, making his first appearance for Hull since January, created two golden opportunities in quick succession. First, he forced a Targett cross to miss the right‑hand post, then rounded Griffiths before firing into the side‑netting after a pass from Millar. His second chance was saved comfortably by the Stoke keeper, who had been given the nod in place of Johansson.
As the clock ticked down, neither team could carve out a decisive opening. The game’s rhythm was punctuated by a few defensive lapses and moments of individual brilliance, but the score remained locked at 1‑1 when full‑time was blown. The tie therefore moved to a penalty shoot‑out, a scenario that would test the nerves of both squads. Stoke’s new signing George Hirst stepped up to take his spot‑kick, only to see his well‑placed effort saved by Hull’s goalkeeper Dillon Phillips.
Hull, on the other hand, displayed flawless execution, converting all five of their penalties. Mohamed Belloumi’s successful spot‑kick sealed the victory for the Tigers, sending them into the third round of the competition for the first time in six years.
Post‑match reactions highlighted the significance of the win. Hull’s captain reflected on the performance, noting that the game had few clear‑cut chances but praised the team’s movement in the box and the quality of the crosses that led to Bozenik’s goal.
He emphasized the importance of building confidence and learning from mistakes, acknowledging that the team had given away a goal that was “typical of us” due to a defensive error. Jakirovic, speaking about his squad rotation, expressed satisfaction with the depth he now possessed. He pointed out that the cup provided a valuable platform to give younger players like Lucas Herrington, Lucas Gourna‑Douath, Jens Hjerto‑Dahl, Abdulkadir Omur, David Akintola and Cody Drameh meaningful minutes.
He highlighted Akintola’s effort, suggesting that with a bit more composure he could have produced a hat‑trick, and praised the overall energy and pressing displayed by the side. The victory also underscored Hull’s ability to handle pressure situations, having just survived a penalty shoot‑out against Manchester United a few days earlier. Jakirovic joked that he now held the record for back‑to‑back shoot‑out wins, a testament to the mental resilience his squad has cultivated early in the season.
Looking ahead, Hull will aim to build on this momentum, using the cup as a springboard to develop their young talent while maintaining a competitive edge in the league. The blend of experienced heads and fresh legs appears to be paying dividends, and fans will be eager to see how the team navigates the challenges of the Premier League and domestic cups as the campaign progresses.
For viewers, the match was broadcast with options to watch on the Sky Sports app and free Premier League highlights, while a reminder encouraged the use of Chrome for optimal video playback. Additionally, a promotional note invited fans to try the Super 6 game for a chance to win £250,000, underscoring the club’s engagement with its supporter base beyond the pitch.