Ruben Selles Head coach of Hull City gestures during the Sky Bet Championship match against Leeds United at the MKM Stadium, Hull Picture by David Greaves/Focus Images Ltd 07828777314 04/01/2025
Rubén Sellés hailed his side’s “brilliant” reaction after City battled from 3-1 down to earn a pulsating 3-3 draw against league leaders Leeds United.
Abu Kamara’s exquisite lob from Mason Burstow’s defence-splitting pass gave the Tigers a fifth-minute lead, with Regan Slater spurning a gilt-edged opportunity to score a second before the break.
Daniel Farke’s Whites equalised immediately after half-time through Ao Tanaka’s spectacular curler and established a 3-1 advantage courtesy of Dan James’ close-range finish and Joël Piroe’s arrowed strike.
João Pedro pounced on an Illan Mesler mistake to restore hope nine minutes from time before Kamara volleyed home an 89th-minute leveller to complete a rousing City fightback.
“It was big entertainment for everyone watching it from both sides,” said Sellés.
“We had moments in the first half when we controlled and dominated the game in the way that we wanted.
“We scored the goal very early and continued playing, could have scored a second one and they also had some chances.
“The early goal in the second half perhaps put us on the back foot a little bit. After the third goal, we showed a lot of character and the way we want to do things.
“The reaction was brilliant. We scored the second one. We managed to score the third one. We managed to be intense. We managed to be competitive.
“People have seen a team they can support. There are going to be some ups and downs in the beginning but they’re always going to give 100% and never give up.”
The boss praised the quality of Kamara’s two finishes and the togetherness showed by the team in supporting one another.
“Abu has quality and you cannot doubt that when, after five minutes, he makes that action; it’s an excellent situation, excellent run, excellent position,” Sellés added.
“At the end, he took that ball and put it in for 3-3. You can only be happy for him, happy for the team for putting him in those situations and happy because that’s the way we want to do things.
“The way we equalise means a lot, showing character, showing that everyone in that dressing room cares about the team, cares about their teammates and even in the bad moments, we are together.
“We have the capacity to come back against possibly one of the best, if not the best team in the league. We can compete against anybody; that’s a powerful feeling to have.”
