Julio Enciso Rescues Ipswich a Point in Thrilling 2-2 Draw at Hull

Julio Enciso Rescues Ipswich Draw at Hull

Julio Enciso produced a finish to secure a 2-2 draw for Ipswich against Hull at the MKM Stadium, extending the hosts’ winless run in the Premier League to eight games.

Ipswich controlled large spells of the first half and grabbed a deserved lead in the 22nd minute. Florentino Luis sliced through the right side unhindered and slotted past goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis for his first Premier League goal, following a clever pass from Abdoul Ouattara. Enciso thought he had doubled the visitor’s advantage in the 37th minute when he headed in from a corner, but the effort was disallowed for a foul on Oli McBurnie. Referee Thomas Kirk ruled out the header after judging that McBurnie had been fouled by Abdul Fatawu during the play, with VAR upholding the decision.

Hull Second-Half Comeback and Goals

Hull emerged from the interval with a completely different approach, as manager Sergej Jakirovic noted that the team had improved after the break. The home side completed a turnaround 10 minutes later. McBurnie fired a low direct free-kick through the wall and into the bottom corner in the 68th minute, marking his first direct free-kick goal in the Premier League. Before and after the goals, Emersonn hit the side-netting after working his way through Hull’s back four, Walton was tested by a Lewie Coyle cross, and Coyle went close with a shot that went wide.

Enciso Equalizer and Closing Stages

The lead lasted just six minutes before Enciso intervened once more. Both teams pushed for a winner during a breathless finale, but neither could find a decisive third goal.

Manager and Pundit Reactions

Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic acknowledged his side’s sluggish start while praising their resilience after the interval.

We showed great mentality in the second half, Jakirovic told Sky Sports. The first half, especially the first 30 minutes, was very poor. They were much better than us and controlled everything. We should have controlled the last 20 minutes better because Enciso scored an excellent goal, but still we could have defended it, Jakirovic added. But if you cannot win, at least don’t lose. I know we are waiting now for almost two months for a win, but I am still positive. Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil expressed frustration at only taking a point after dominating significant portions of the match.

We were excellent, the better side for almost all of it, O’Neil said. There’s disappointment that it doesn’t get us three [points], but a point on the road in the Premier League is still something. There was a lot of promise that we were much better than them in their own stadium. That takes some doing, they’re a good side and they’ve been doing well. You have to give them credit, they’ve done this against everybody. They don’t dominate the game, they don’t batter your goal, but if you make a mistake they will capitalise on it and that was the case today. O’Neil also claimed that Ipswich should have been awarded multiple penalties, telling Sky Sports, I think we should have had two penalties, while admitting referee Thomas Kirk was right to rule out Enciso’s first-half header.