Jakirovic wants better control from Hull after more dropped points

Sergej Jakirovic demanded better control from Hull City when they have a lead, after letting one slip in a 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

Ipswich took a deserved first-half lead through Florentino and had a second goal disallowed after Julio Enciso was denied due to a foul in the build-up.

Hull improved after the break, with Tim Iroegbunam levelling the score with his first goal for the club, before Oli McBurnie's free-kick put them in front in the 68th minute.

However, they could not hold out for a first win since matchday two as Enciso's stunning effort rescued a point for Ipswich, stretching the Tigers' winless streak to seven league games.

Despite that, Hull have won 11 points from their opening nine Premier League games this season (W2 D5 L2), only ever earning more points at this stage of one previous top-flight campaign (20 in 2008-09).

They struggled to make an impact in the first half: no side has failed to register a shot on target before the break in more Premier League games this season than Hull (three).

Jakirovic was particularly disappointed with that part of their performance and has demanded better control when they get themselves into the lead.

"They overloaded us in the midfield in the first half, and that was the biggest problem," he told BBC Match of the Day. "After 30 minutes, we did it with [John] Egan into midfield, and we showed a bit more.

"At half-time we changed the system and started to be much more aggressive and on the front foot as a group.

"[Julio] Enciso scored an excellent goal, but we could stop this; it was a cheap goal [to concede] as we had the ball twice in possession. We couldn't play as bad as in the first half, but I could say that's the quality of the opponent.

"At 2-1, maybe we could've controlled it better. If you can't win, don't lose, especially after the first half, and we improved a lot. I'm waiting for a win for almost two months, which is unbelievable."

Ipswich have avoided defeat in successive Premier League games for the first time since January 2025.

They were indebted to Enciso, who got the equalising goal for the second week running – also doing so in their 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest last time out.

Enciso has been directly involved in nine Premier League goals across his last 22 games (four goals, five assists) – more goal contributions than in his previous 44 appearances in the competition (eight).

While O'Neil was pleased with the fight his side showed to get a point, he felt that Ipswich should have had two penalties during the match.

"I think we should have had two penalties," he told Sky Sports. "The marking in the box from Hull – I'm sure I've been told we can't do that, which is why we're heavily zonal.

"I think it was [Nobel] Mendy doing two long holds on the trot. I thought we were unlucky not to get those.

"Being the better side for 90% of the game away from home in the Premier League is good. We controlled the game and carried a threat when Hull pushed on.

"I'm disappointed it only gets us a point, but it keeps us moving."

O'Neil also felt both goals conceded were preventable, particularly Iroegbunam's equaliser, but insisted the defensive issues could be addressed.

"It was a bad decision from a couple of players involved," he added. "It's a much easier fix than you would think. It obviously leaves a big gap, but we can fix that no problem."