Millwall had more of everything. More shots. More ball. More chances. They bossed 90 minutes at MKM Stadium and went home with zero goals.
Hull held on. That is the story. Nothing pretty about it. Nothing flashy. Just a back four that refused to buckle and a goalkeeper who made five saves when he needed to.
0-0. Tie wide open. Tuesday at The Den.
Hull came into this playoff in rough shape. Six games without a win before the final day. Then beat Norwich 2-1 when Wrexham drew, scraped into sixth, and suddenly found themselves here. A crowd of 20,009 showed up Friday with hope rather than expectation. They left with exactly what a home side in a first leg wants. Nothing conceded. Everything to play for.
Millwall were better. They knew it at full time. Gary Rowett knew it. The Lions have been the most consistent away side in the Championship all season. Forty-one points from their 23 away games. Only 24 goals conceded across the whole season. Best defensive record in the division. They brought all of that here and still could not score.
John Egan was the reason. He went off at half-time against Norwich last weekend and the fitness questions were loud before kick-off. He answered every single one of them. Strong in the air, calm under pressure, dealt with everything Millwall threw at him. When you have a centre-back playing like that, it is very hard to score.
Millwall’s best moment came from a set piece in the second half. The delivery was right. The header was on target. Going in. Hull’s goalkeeper got his fingertips to it. That was the game in one moment. One save keeping the tie alive for both clubs in different ways.
Zian Flemming had moments throughout. He dropped off, pulled Hull’s midfield around, tried to create space for the runners ahead of him. On another night one of those combinations clicks. On Friday they did not quite click.
The final ball was always a touch off. The cross that needed another yard of pace. The shot where a pass was on. The combination broken up at the last second by a Hull sliding tackle. Small margins. Always small margins in these games.
Hull barely threatened. Liam Delap worked hard. Got very little. Oscar Estupiñán was isolated up top for long stretches. Tim Walter’s side were not here to play football. They were here to not lose. They did not lose.
Millwall go back to The Den on Tuesday needing to score. Hull go back needing to not lose by more than one. Simple enough on paper. Both clubs know it will not feel simple when those lights come on at The Den and 20,000 Lions fans get behind their team from the first whistle.
The Den for a Championship playoff semi-final second leg is one of the most intense atmospheres in English football. Millwall have been here before. Four playoff appearances in recent seasons. They know how to use that crowd.
Hull have character. They showed that against Norwich. Whether that character holds up on Tuesday in South London is the question nobody can answer yet.
For more EFL Championship and playoff coverage visit fawanews.org.uk for the latest match reports. Full playoff schedule and Wembley final dates at the official EFL website.
Hull City 0-0 Millwall EFL Championship Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg | Friday, 8 May 2026 | MKM Stadium, Hull | Att: 20,009
Hull City XI: Riznyk | Jacob, Egan, Chambers, Elder | Longman, Slater, Jones, Jansen | Delap, Estupiñán Subs: Philogene (for Longman), Carvalho (for Jansen)
Millwall XI: Roberts | McNamara, Saville, Cooper, Wallace | Flemming, Bielik | Sherif, Watmore, Paal | Wydra Subs: Bradshaw (for Wydra), Honeyman (for Watmore)
Saves: Hull 5 Millwall 4 HT: 0-0 FT: 0-0
Second Leg: Millwall vs Hull City | Tuesday, 13 May 2026 | The Den, London
