Nahki Wells ends goal drought to earn point for Bristol City at Hull

Posted Saturday, August 26, 2023 by PA

Nakhi Wells’ first league goal since February earned Bristol City a 1-1 draw at Hull.

The 33-year-old forward ended a 15-game personal drought with a second-half equaliser after Ozan Tufan had climbed to the top of the Championship’s early-season goal charts with a 17th-minute opener following his hat-trick against Sheffield Wednesday in the Tigers’ previous home contest.

The visitors exerted early pressure but Jason Knight’s far-post header from a free-kick, floated in by skipper Matty James, failed to unduly extend keeper Matt Ingram.

Hull gradually found their stride and, on the quarter-hour mark, Adama Traore drilled into the side netting after being picked out by Jean Michael Seri.

Moments later, Tufan’s long-distance attempt was safely gathered by Max O’Leary but the Bath-born keeper was beaten by the Tigers’ Turkey international shortly afterwards.

Liam Delap outstripped Zak Vyner for pace down the right flank and the on-loan Manchester City striker’s low centre was turned in first time by Tufan from eight yards.

Buoyed by the breakthrough, Hull saw Lewie Coyle and Delap’s 25-yard drives test O’Leary before the Robins rallied as Sam Bell cut in from the left and unleashed a shot that was blocked with Mark Sykes unable to keep his follow-up effort down.

Joe Williams was also guilty of lofting a 10-yard opportunity over an unguarded net after Wells’ raid down the right had taken Ingram out of the equation.

A firm drive by George Tanner was then kicked off the line by Alfie Jones, who went on to go close at the other end with his far-post header from Scott Twine’s free-kick pushed on to the inside of an upright by O’Leary before his defensive team-mates scrambled the loose ball to safety.

The visitors thought they had levelled in stoppage time at the end of a pulsating first period but a very delayed assistant’s flag saw Vyner’s effort chalked off after Knight’s deflected shot had fallen to him six yards from goal.

Following the restart, Knight’s header narrowly missed the target from a Cameron Pring corner and, after a Seri shot was deflected away from goal, Nigel Pearson’s men drew level.

At the end of a slick passing move, Sykes’ low and inviting 63rd-minute cross was tapped in at the far post by Wells, who was only denied a second moments later when an improvised, hooked effort over his shoulder was blocked by Sean McLoughlin near the goal-line and seized upon by a grateful Ingram.

Back at the other end, a fierce Twine free-kick was tipped over by O’Leary and substitute Aaron Connolly charged clear on goal but shot straight at the advancing away keeper.

Fellow replacement Oscar Estupinan also warmed O’Leary’s gloves after being picked out by the imperious Seri, while Harry Cornick failed to beat Ingram at his near post in stoppage time, meaning Hull have now only been beaten in one of their last 12 league games at the MKM Stadium.