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David Akintola's winning strike took a telling deflection before finding the back of the net Harrison Burrows had a late penalty kick saved as Sheffield United's dreadful start to the season continued, with David Akintola's deflected strike earning Hull City victory and consigning the Blades to an seventh Championship loss in nine games. The visitors edged a lively first half that had plenty of endeavour but was almost devoid of goalmouth action aside from Akintola's effort, which was going wide until it took a crucial deflection off Chiedozie Ogbene and nestled into the far corner. Neither keeper made a save worth noting, although Gus Hamer was unlucky not to put the Blades ahead with a powerful drive that cannoned off the near post. The visitors saw plenty of the ball after the break but rarely threatened until increasing late pressure. Hamer again went close and the hosts survived an almighty goalmouth scramble before Burrows saw his weak spot-kick saved by keeper Ivor Pandur. Pandur's heroics, after substitute Semi Ajayi's rash tackle on Danny Ings, presented United with a glorious chance and would have rewarded an improved display in the second half in which they dominated possession and created several decent opportunities in the closing stages. The impressive Hamer was narrowly off target with a shot from the edge of the box, and Tyrese Campbell had a strong case for a penalty kick when his foot was trodden on by Lewie Coyle just inside the area. Hull then somehow kept the ball out during a melee full of blocked shots and desperate defending before Burrows fluffed his lines from the spot, meaning Chris Wilder's bottom-of-the-table Blades succumbed to a third defeat in four under their returning boss. The Tigers clung on to see out just their second clean sheet in 26 home games for a win that takes them up to tenth in the table. Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside: "It's a massive win. From the first minute you could see it would be a battle on every inch of the pitch. "They had good possession and we were lucky when they hit the post, but we always had our moments. "Thank God Ivor saved the penalty. I am very happy for him. It is a big relief for Ivor and a good boost for his confidence. "I am very happy. We had a clean sheet and we were very strong defensively. "In the second half we could have won the game with some chances. "The clean sheet was important. When we had possession, if we lost it, we knew it was difficult against this side. " This video can not be played Jakirovic: It's a massive win for us' Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield: "It's incredibly disappointing. We are beating ourselves at the moment. We have to take something out of this. "We allowed them to get their noses in front and although we got into good positions, we were were not able to find that final bit. "That's the game-changer. It was loose and rushed and there was no sign of the obvious ability these players have got to change the course of the game. We got into some great positions. "They sat in and tried to hit us on the counter but we were never in danger. We just couldn't find that final bit. " This video can not be played Wilder: 'We have to take something' After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 4th October 2025 at 19: 23 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Sergej Jakirovic Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Chris Wilder Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Sergej Jakirovic Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Chris Wilder Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Hull City have won just one of their last eight league games against Sheffield United (D1 L6), failing to score in six, though the Tigers did win the last meeting 3-0 in January earlier this year. Sheffield United have won each of their last four away league games against Hull City, scoring 2+ goals in each of those victories. Hull City have only kept one clean sheet in their last 25 home league games, while that came in March against a Plymouth side who went on to be relegated from the Championship last term (2-0 win). Sheffield United have lost seven of their eight Championship matches this season (W1). It took them until their 40th match of the previous league campaign to suffer their seventh defeat. Ahead of facing his former side, Oli Mc Burnie has netted in four consecutive Championship appearances (five goals); his longest ever scoring run in the top four tiers of English football. Match ends, Hull City 1, Sheffield United 0. Second Half ends, Hull City 1, Sheffield United 0. Offside, Sheffield United. Danny Ings is caught offside. Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. Penalty saved. Harrison Burrows (Sheffield United) left footed shot saved in the bottom left corner by Ivor Pandur (Hull City). John Egan (Hull City) is shown the yellow card. Penalty Sheffield United. Danny Ings draws a foul in the penalty area. Penalty conceded by Semi Ajayi (Hull City) after a foul in the penalty area. Attempt blocked. Danny Ings (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Attempt blocked. Tom Davies (Sheffield United) right footed shot from very close range is blocked. Attempt blocked. Tom Davies (Sheffield United) left footed shot from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Japhet Tanganga. Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Matt Crooks. Attempt blocked. Thomas Cannon (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Substitution, Hull City. Semi Ajayi replaces Oliver Mc Burnie. Substitution, Hull City. Enis Destan replaces Joe Gelhardt. Substitution, Sheffield United. Louie Barry replaces Alex Matos. Foul by Ben Mee (Sheffield United). Matt Crooks (Hull City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Japhet Tanganga (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Oliver Mc Burnie (Hull City). Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.