Mass brawl as gamers conflict and followers hurl objects in chaos at Championship match
Drama unfolded after Hull City’s dramatic late 2-1 win away at Championship rivals Stoke City as players from both sides clashed with each other in front of furious home fans
Emotions ran high as players from both Stoke City and Hull City clashed on the pitch after the visitors grabbed a late 2-1 win at the bet365 Stadium.
Joe Gelhardt netted a last-minute winner for the Tigers, sparking jubilant scenes at the final whistle in front of Stoke fans and players. However, the joy soon turned to chaos as members from both sides engaged in a heated confrontation in front of the irate home crowd.
According to The Stoke Sentinel, Hull’s Mohamed Belloumi incensed home favourite Ashley Phillips by dancing provocatively in front of the home supporters. The Tottenham loanee didn’t take kindly to this, leading to a rapid escalation of tensions, with referee Lee Doughty issuing yellow cards post-match.
Objects appeared to be hurled from the stands as tempers flared following an action-packed game crucial to the Championship promotion race.
Gelhardt’s 90th minute goal moved Hull up to 5th, just two points behind second-placed Stoke.
Mark Robins’ Stoke dominated the first half and their winger Sorba Thomas had opened the scoring for the home side in the 17th minute, pulling off a stunning volley.
But Hull defender Semi Ajayi equalised shortly after the break with a fine header, before the late drama as forward Gelhardt, on loan from Leeds, grabbed the winner.
After Stoke carelessly conceded possession, it was Belloumi who threaded the ball through for the onrushing Gelhardt, with a sliding Junior Tchmadeu unable to cut it out, as Gelhardt calmly stroked it beyond Viktor Johansson.
There were handbags at the death between Stoke’s Bosun Lawal and Hull’s Matt Crooks, both of whom were booked.
Hull striker Kyle Joseph and midfielder John Lundstram were then booked after the final whistle, while Phillips for Stoke also received a yellow card.
Speaking on BBC Radio Stoke, former Potters star Mike Sheron said: “Stoke have been playing with loads of composure and then all of a sudden they concede a goal and we lose the dominance of the game.
“Hull looked like they had a lot more energy and variation to their play in the second half. We didn’t dominate the ball like we would have wanted to.
“Goals change games all the time and when Stoke conceded it made the difference.”
It was a big win for Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic, whose side bounced back from a 2-0 midweek loss at home to Ipswich.
