Hull 2-2 Cardiff

Hull City will return to the Premier League next season after a thrilling draw with Champions Cardiff at the KC Stadium.

Hull who were relegated in 2010 headed into this one without a win or a goal in their last 3 matches. Cardiff had already secured promotion and the Championship title. It was the visitors who started on the ascendency, Craig Conway seeing his effort deflected just past the far post. Hull looked bright too, Elmohamady influential in the Tiger’s attacking play.

George Boyd flicked a pass into the path of Brady but the Ireland international rushed and his effort sailed wayward. Hull fans were evidently tense and had one eye on Watford’s game with Leeds. If the Hornets could better Hull’s result, Watford would be promoted.

An injury delay of 16 minutes at Watford increased the anxiety with the Hull fans, however they got the news that wanted as Leeds took the lead…

The first half ended frantically, Hull goalkeeper David Stockdale did well to deny Jordan Mutch and at the other end David Marshall pulled off an even better safe to deny Brady.

But news had filtered in from Vicarage Road, Watford had levelled.

The second half proved one of the best in the Championship season. Fraizer Campbell a former Hull man slotted Cardiff in front on 49 minutes after a cheeky run between the two Hull defenders. Hull realised their situation and exploded into gear, Proschwitz firing home from a Quinn cross on 58 minutes.

Hull were resurgent and were playing with flair and confidence. Then the moment every Hull fan wanted, came in the 63rd minute. A corner delivered by Robbie Brady was headed home by McShane sending the KC wild. It got even better for Hull when Cardiff fell to 10 men after Taylor fouled Meyler in the area… penalty. Proschwitz had a chance to seal promotion from the spot but his spot kick was saved.

In more drama, Cardiff were awarded a penalty for a handball in stoppage time, Maynard kept his cool and stroked home for 2-2. Full time arrived at the KC, fans were anxious and tense, some even hided in the toilets as everybody awaited the result from Watford. But the anxiety turned to deliria as Leeds grabbed a late winner at Watford.

Hull secured promotion in the most dramatic of fashion after a 3 year absense, thousands of fans flooding onto the pitch sparking frantic celebrations. Steve Bruce earning promotion to the Premier League for the third time as a manager and both him and Hull fans can look forward to being in England’s top flight next season.