Lewie Coyle seals a dramatic finish in the late, late show on Humberside

Hull City grabbed a last-minute equaliser to frustrate Nottingham Forest at the MKM Stadium, confirming that the Reds will face Sheffield United in the Championship play-off semi-finals.

Hull City brought down the curtain on their eventful season in dramatic fashion as two goals in injury time saw the game finish 1-1.

Brennan Johnson’s 91st-minute penalty looked to have sealed the points for Steve Cooper’s men, but whilst Forest fans were still celebrating behind the goal with a flare burning away, Lewie Coyle had brought the Tigers level.

Hull-born Coyle’s goal had an element of fortune about it as his measured cross looked to have picked out Keane Lewis-Potter, but with Brice Samba anticipating the forward’s touch, the ball flashed past both of them and into the far corner.

For the first hour, the game had been a classic end of season encounter with not a deal to play for. Iranian striker Allahyar Sayyadmanesh showed that he could become a presence for City’s forward line as he gave Tobi Figueiredo a torrid afternoon in the Forest defence.

He came the closest in the first period after getting in between a Figueiredo and Samba mix-up; the striker could only prod the ball wide with the goal beckoning.

In the second period, Allahyar showed great strength and skill to hold off Figueiredo on halfway and tight to the touchline; his spin to show the Portuguese a clean pair of heels was one of the moments of the afternoon. Unfortunately, his cross for Lewis-Potter was overhit when greater composure and quality would have put him in on goal.

Not to be deterred, Allahyar almost got himself on the scoresheet once more but could not quite get on the end of Callum Elder’s delightful whipped-in ball across the face of goal.

Allahyar’s movement again got him away from Figueiredo down the channel, but latching onto Honeyman’s threaded pass, his effort was a tame one as Samba gratefully collected with minimal fuss.

Tom Huddlestone, coming on for his farewell appearance in a City shirt, almost grabbed an assist with a sublime pass through to Lewis-Potter inside the box. Having caught the Forest backline square, City’s Player of the Season easily escaped Worrall’s attentions, and with just Samba to beat, the youngster uncharacteristically fired the ball over the bar.

As Steve Cooper introduced Sam Surridge and Brennan Johnson, Forest inevitably went up the gears as they went in search of a winner. Zinckernagel, Surridge and Mighten all had opportunities to snatch a goal, but it was the influence of Surridge that proved decisive.

With Tom Huddlestone looking to clear inside the box, Surridge got himself on the blindside of the veteran midfielder and as the City man went to take another touch, he could only connect with Surridge’s leg.

Johnson tucked the penalty home to the delight of the travelling fans but their emotions soon turned to despair as Coyle grabbed a deserved equaliser from the restart.

Steve Cooper’s side would have faced Luton Town over the two legs if they had managed to see the game out but now face their old foes Sheffield United who had impressively swept aside champions Fulham in a 4-0 rout.

Cooper was disappointed with the result but was looking forwards to the enticing semi-final legs ahead.

‘We didn’t show enough on the day considering the amount of attacking talent we had on display. We couldn’t find the rhythm that we needed. We went to a back four with Joe (Lolley) moving to left-back to try and get the win.

“Disappointing not to manage the game out. Naturally disappointed not to win the game. We wanted to finish third. To come back from the bottom of the league to finish fourth is incredible, though really.”

When asked about the playoffs:

“It doesn’t matter who you play. It’s a challenge no matter who.

We’ll look forward to the game. Two big stadiums, two big clubs and two big teams. We’ve finished fourth and fifth.”

Shot Arveladze was pleased with his side’s final performance in front of a bumper crowd and described the late drama.

“Crazy. Probably, on the whole, it was fair. There were some chances for both sides and they were a good team that controlled the game. We created two or three good chances. Generally, it was a good game for us and good for the supporters to see the last goal go in.”

When asked about the penalty decision:

“If it was my team, it was a penalty. If it is against me, no, it was a cheeky one.”

Arveladze had a special mention for the supporters in how they got behind the team.

“You only have to look at Madrid in the week to see what 90,000 people can do. No contract can do that (for player motivation). You cannot buy the energy that a crowd can give you. It was more like a win.”

It promises to be a summer of change at City with Tom Huddlestone the first exit, having played his last game for the club. Shota Arveladze also discussed that he could not convince Tony Pennock from the coaching staff. 

When quizzed about Keane Lewis-Potter, the Georgian coach reiterated the club’s intention to keep him.

“The Chairman wants him. The coach is crazy is about him! We will try to offer him the best we can to stay. It will be about finances and progression. There may be an offer that the player or club cannot refuse.”

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