Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic told Sky Sports: “It was very awful tonight. We made too many mistakes.
“At least we showed a reaction in second half, we never surrendered – we showed the mentality to fight to the end.
“We were not in the mood today and Boro were much better than us. When you’re 30 minutes in and 3-0 behind it’s very difficult.
“We said at half-time we will fight to the end, we will struggle together. I could have maybe changed a lot of players at half-time. We were very poor in possession. I sometimes felt their fear in receiving the ball.
“It’s very disappointing but we must look forward, it’s a long journey.
“Conceding goals is a very big problem for us, we work at it, but they didn’t miss a pass today, they were very good on the ball, they have quality, they are second in the table.”
Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside:
“It’s very simple, we gave away a lot like it’s Christmas today. We were very bad in possession and open play. There were so many mistakes I could not believe it.
“It was a bad day in the office. Middlesbrough were much, much better than us.
“This was my worst game since I was here.
“I knew it would be tough because they are a very good team but I was thinking that we would give more resistance. We gave away too much and in this league that is goals.”
“Very awful tonight.”
Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic is understandably not happy after suffering a 4-1 loss to Boro 😬 pic.twitter.com/j5oz5Nhfwl
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 5, 2025
Boro boss Kim Hellberg told Sky Sports: “I enjoyed the beautiful goals, the attitude, the calm on the ball, being brave, it was a perfect performance from the players.
“Hull have been very good. It was a little bit of a surprise our players could be so active early.
“I have very good players, a big squad. Alex Gilbert was brilliant in midfield. It makes me very happy. They have so much quality.
“The players want to learn, they are trying to solve things, they are top quality, it’s been easy for me thanks to them.
“I’m trying to use what’s been good and build on some things. We’ll get better.”
Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees:
“The players’ performance today was absolutely brilliant.
“We executed the plan to make it difficult for Hull. We were very good at playing where the space was, if it was behind them we used that space or in front of the backline and we were good on the counter and pressing.
[On Alex Gilbert’s first game for the club since January] “He’s a very clever footballer and he’s very good at taking information quickly and adapting to that on the pitch. He’s good on the ball and in the duels. I’ve seen the good things he’s done in training and I gave him the opportunity today.
“I’m looking forward to a good weekend I must say that – I’ll watch a lot of football tomorrow and then back in training on Sunday.”
“Every game is important… we need to win as many as possible!”
Kim Hellberg on whether his Boro side can continue their push for promotion 💪📈 pic.twitter.com/XwR82GqtEl
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 5, 2025
A delighted Kim Hellberg reflects on tonight’s three points 💬 pic.twitter.com/iQ1fa1OdkA
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) December 5, 2025
Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney said to Sky Sports: “It was a scrappy game – we could have played better in the second half and made it easier.
“They had a bit of momentum in the second half but we’re delighted with the three points.”
On Morgan Whittaker scoring his fourth goal in as many games: “I keep telling him keep shooting. He’s got to keep doing it. We see it in training all the time.”
Middlesbrough’s Morgan Whittaker: “It’s been a long time coming. I’m trying to be consistent, I’ll keep going and putting in the work.
“Being 4-0 up at half-time is incredible… this was coming… It shows the hard work everyone is putting in.
“Our away form has not been as good as it could be so a 4-1 win away (is great).”
Thoroughly deserved, Alex! 💬 pic.twitter.com/6trXWf8Jui
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) December 5, 2025
Here’s how fans reacted as Hellberg’s Middlesbrough makes it hell for Hull after scoring four in a first half thrashing…
@_TY_97: Hellberg has made us clinical and build up with purpose, Gilbert in the sitting role is a great find his passing was spot on. Strelec looked way better. McGree is wonderful to watch as always. Best performance in a few years. You can play great football and win games with solidity, Hellberg showed that by out coaching the hull manager, a pleasure to watch and we will only get better. Get in #boro.
@UTBMatty:
Gimme gimme gimme a gaffer from Sweden
He’s got Boro flying, and we’re scoring away!
Gimme gimme gimme a gaffer from sweden
Kim is gonna take us to the premier league
@James_Platten: Fair do’s, good luck for the rest of the season, despite how bad we were, by far the best team we’ve played this season.
@AitchDeeNC: Get in. The standard weekly anti-Boro refereeing howler might’ve spoiled our clean sheet, but it couldn’t stop us sweeping them aside. Now we can sit back and enjoy our weekend.
@finlayw__: Makes you wonder why Gilbert doesn’t get a game. Amazing tonight, usually very good when he plays – and had a good loan spell last season.
@MatthewBye13: Amazing first half and pretty solid second! Potentially best thing that could’ve happened Edwards leaving 😂😂 Hellberg era well and truly begun!
@mar_boro14: Just got home. Might be my favourite away game of 2025 (which has been an unbeaten year for me on the road I may add 😉) That first half was ruthless, and the second was well managed. Brilliant Boro, I’m high on HellBall! #UTB
@Jacobsinge99050: Gilbert outstanding. Never gave the ball away once, MOM imo.
@fifabigd: Learn somet new about the players every week first bangura and Whittaker now Gilbert tell you what we got a class squad Just need to be used right
@gmike27: Safe to say no-one saw that coming!! Brilliant from the lads. Hackney and Gilbpirlo were fantastic!! Great to see the style of footy we played too was very refreshing to watch. #boro #UTB
@LouSirr101: First half we were unplayable. Could’ve easily been 5/6. Gilbert was amazing. McGree was amazing. Whittaker too. Roll on Charlton
@Smithy_MFC84: Aside from the pen, that was as good a performance I’ve seen from #Boro in a long, long time. So many brilliant individual performances too, but for me you’ve got to highlight Gilbert coming in from the cold and playing like he’s never been away. Well in Hellberg and the lads!