Hull City and Everton shared the spoils in an entertaining 2–2 draw at the MKM Stadium on Sunday, October 11, after Mohamed Belloumi came off the bench to rescue a point for the hosts in a dramatic second half.
Joe Gelhardt gave Hull the lead shortly after the break, but Everton responded through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry to turn the game around. Belloumi then struck in the 74th minute to deny Everton victory and preserve Hull’s unbeaten home record since returning to the Premier League.
The result also extended Everton’s unbeaten league start, while Hull demonstrated their resilience by recovering after losing their advantage and falling behind.
A Disallowed Goal Keeps the First Half Level
The opening period ended without a goal, but Everton thought they had taken the lead through Brennan Johnson in the 34th minute.
The celebrations were short-lived. A video assistant referee review ruled the effort out for offside, keeping Hull level and setting up a more eventful second half.
Everton had opportunities to establish control, but their failure to convert them meant Hull remained in the contest. The hosts went into the interval with a clean sheet and the opportunity to make their own pressure count after the restart.
Gelhardt Punishes Everton After the Break
Hull needed only a few minutes of the second half to break the deadlock.
In the 48th minute, Joe Gelhardt capitalised on an error by Everton defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles before lifting the ball past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
The goal rewarded Hull’s positive start to the half and put Everton in a position where they had to chase the game.
For Maitland-Niles, the mistake proved costly. However, Everton would respond quickly, and the defender soon played a role in helping his team recover.
Dewsbury-Hall Restores Parity
Everton’s response arrived in the 55th minute.
Maitland-Niles delivered an accurate cross into the area, allowing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to head home and bring the visitors level.
The equaliser was significant for more than the scoreline. It was the first goal Hull had conceded at the MKM Stadium that season, ending their impressive defensive record on home soil.
Everton now had momentum, and the contest became increasingly open as both sides looked to take control.
Dewsbury-Hall’s contribution also highlighted his influence in the visitors’ attacking play. After scoring the equaliser, he remained involved as Everton pushed for a second goal.
Barry Turns the Game Around for Everton
Everton completed their comeback in the 68th minute through Thierno Barry.
The forward had missed several opportunities earlier in the match, but he made his chance count when it mattered. After Sorba Thomas lost possession, Dewsbury-Hall helped create the opening, and Barry finished past Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis to put Everton 2–1 ahead.
The goal appeared to put the visitors in control of the contest. Having recovered from conceding first, Everton had turned the scoreline around and seemed well placed to take all three points.
However, Hull refused to surrender.
Belloumi Makes an Immediate Impact
Hull’s response came from the bench.
Mohamed Belloumi, introduced in the 65th minute, needed only a short time to make his mark. In the 74th minute, he found the net with a low shot past Pickford to restore parity at 2–2.
The equaliser capped a remarkable sequence of four second-half goals and gave the home supporters renewed hope of a late winner.
Belloumi had been left out of the starting lineup following the international break because of tiredness, according to Sky Sports’ match report. His introduction ultimately proved decisive for Hull, with the substitute providing the goal that secured a share of the points.
Everton had twice taken control of the situation—first by equalising and then by moving ahead—but could not find a third goal to put the game beyond their opponents.
Everton’s Missed Chances Prove Costly
Everton created numerous opportunities throughout the match but could not turn their attacking pressure into a decisive advantage.
Sky Sports reported that the visitors created eight big chances, with five falling to Barry. Although he eventually scored, the number of opportunities Everton failed to convert meant Hull remained within reach even after the visitors moved ahead.
That wastefulness will be a concern for Everton. Their ability to recover from Gelhardt’s opener and score twice showed attacking quality, but conceding again so soon after taking the lead cost them the opportunity to leave Hull with a victory.
Hull, meanwhile, deserve credit for their response. Rather than allowing Everton’s comeback to define the afternoon, they found another goal and ensured their home supporters left with a point.
What the Result Means
The draw keeps Everton unbeaten in the Premier League after six matches, according to the match report and standings published after the game. Hull also maintained their unbeaten home record since returning to the top flight.
For Everton, the performance offered encouraging attacking signs but also exposed a weakness in their ability to protect an advantage. Scoring twice away from home should ordinarily put a team in a strong position to win, yet they were unable to close out the match.
Hull will take confidence from their resilience. They fell behind after conceding twice in the second half but responded with the determination needed to earn a result against an unbeaten opponent.
The match also demonstrated the importance of substitutions. Belloumi’s introduction gave Hull a fresh attacking option, and his goal ultimately separated a defeat from a valuable point.
Final Verdict
Hull City and Everton delivered an entertaining contest in which neither side could hold on to the advantage for long.
Gelhardt put Hull ahead, Dewsbury-Hall equalised, and Barry completed Everton’s turnaround before Belloumi struck back to make it 2–2.
Everton will feel they missed an opportunity to claim all three points after creating so many chances. Hull, however, can be satisfied with their recovery and the continuation of their strong home form.
Final score: Hull City 2–2 Everton.
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