Championship: Hull close in on automatic promotion places as Wrexham win again

Middlesbrough failed to capitalise on Coventry City’s earlier defeat as they lost 1-0 to Hull City.

Hull are now within two points of second-place Boro after Darko Gyabi’s early goal proved decisive at the Riverside on Monday.

Coventry lost to Ipswich Town earlier on but Boro could not close the gap on Frank Lampard’s team, and they have now gone three Championship games without a win.

Hull, meanwhile, have won four of their last five fixtures to put themselves firmly in the race for automatic promotion.

That was for you, Tigers! #hcafc pic.twitter.com/7HPqgIqzZN

— Hull City (@HullCity) December 29, 2025

Millwall are two points behind Hull and Ipswich after Macaulay Langstaff’s late goal earned a 2-1 win over Bristol City, while Watford beat Norwich City 1-0 thanks to Vivaldo Semedo’s 90th-minute effort.

Wrexham, meanwhile, followed up their dramatic victory over Sheffield United by beating promotion hopefuls Preston North End 2-1.

Nathan Broadhead and Oliver Rathbone were on target for the Welsh club, with Alfie Devine’s goal for Preston not enough to spark a comeback.

Sheff Utd got back on track after that 5-3 loss to Wrexham on Boxing Day by beating Stoke City 2-1.

Data Debrief: Tigers roar at the Riverside

Hull snapped a three-game losing streak against Boro, who won the reverse fixture 4-1 earlier in December, in the league, and they have now won their final match in each of the past four years.

It is the first time they have gone on such a run since doing so between 1981 and 1984.

Hull’s goal came with their sole shot on target, as Boro failed to capitalise on creating chances worth 1.17 expected goals from 23 attempts.