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Hull logo
Championship Playoffs | Final
May 28, 2016 at 5pm UK
 
Sheffield Wednesday logo

1-0

Diame (72')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Live Commentary: Hull City 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of Hull City's 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday as the Tigers battled to a narrow playoff final success.
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Mohamed Diame's second-half strike proved enough for Hull City to earn a third promotion to the Premier League in eight years, as they saw off Sheffield Wednesday 1-0.

The Tigers bossed things at Wembley Stadium in terms of key chances, coming close on numerous occasions but only finding a way through via a piece of brilliance from their midfield man.

Diame came closest to making the breakthrough prior to that match-winning moment, sending a shot back off the post in the opening 45 minutes on an afternoon to remember for the Humberside outfit.

Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the all-Yorkshire Championship playoff final meeting between Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley Stadium. After 46 gruelling regular-league fixtures, plus two more battling displays in the semi-finals, one of these two sides stands a minimum of 90 minutes away from a place in the Premier League.

It is described as the richest game in world football, and this year is no different with a reported £170m - one-hundred-and-seventy-million pounds! - up for grabs for the winning side. The playoff final weekend begins with the Championship this time around, with League One and League Two to follow over the next 48 hours or so, but the prize on the line in this one really is pretty incredible. Kickoff is still a couple of hours away, though, so let's take an in-depth look at how both sides shape up.

In terms of Hull City, they head to Wembley on the back of a rather mixed campaign on the face of it. Steve Bruce spoke honestly on the eve of today's game about his intention to depart the club following relegation exactly 12 months ago, with a goalless home draw with Manchester United condemning his side to second-tier football once again. Bruce handed in his resignation in the aftermath of that match, only for the owners to reject his offer to step aside and instead back him in the transfer market.

Hull did wave goodbye to a number of their top performers, just as Bruce initially feared, as James Chester, Robbie Brady and Tom Ince all departed to bring in some further funds. Around £25m was earned from player sales in total, allowing Bruce to then build a side capable of winning an instant return to the big time. In came Moses Odubajo, who impressed at this level with Brentford last season, along with Sam Clucas and a raft of promising loanees. It was little surprise that City were backed among the favourites to claim an automatic promotion berth, then, which did not quite turn out to be the case.

Things started off well enough for Bruce, who was simply happy to see the transfer window close with a settled squad now in place. Two defeats in the first 17 games put the Tigers well on course for the top-two finish they were after and, after a minor blip, things really stepped up around the turn of the year when four wins on the bounce - and 10 goals scored - left others watching on with fear. Hull hit a two-month long sticky patch, however, struggling for momentum and consistency in the third quarter of the campaign which would ultimately cost them dear come the totting up process in May.

City did finish the season with three wins from four, however, proving that they did indeed have the strength of character to get over the line in terms of a top-six finish. It would have hurt Bruce not to have earned an automatic place in the Premier League, of course, but there really is no better way of gaining promotion than by doing it via the playoffs. If justice was to be done, then Hull would win this evening and join Burnley and Middlesbrough in the top flight, having remained in the top five throughout the season - consistency in terms of their league placing has certainly not been lacking.

DID YOU KNOW? Hull City's last two visits to Wembley have produced a total of 13 goals. The Tigers beat Sheffield Wednesday 5-3 in the 2014 FA Cup semi-final here to set up a meeting with Arsenal - one of the great final ties in recent years. City raced into a two-goal lead to stun the heavy favourites, but the Gunners proved too much in the end as they scored three times to win 3-2 and end their trophy drought. It is fair to say that supporters have mixed memories of this famous venue in recent times, then!

Hull City lost in their last visit to Wembley Stadium, as they let slip a two-goal lead in an eventual 3-2 defeat to Arsenal. The Tigers had overcome Sheffield United 5-3 to make it that far, but today they will be facing another sleeping giant from that part of Yorkshire when taking on Wednesday. Fingers crossed it turns out to be just as entertaining as those last two visits here!

Curtis Davies of Hull City celebrates with team mates as he scores their second goal during the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014© Getty Images


Arguably the key component in this Hull side over the course of the season has been Abel Hernandez, a player who has finally justified his hefty price tag - albeit in the second tier. The 25-year-old has already found the net 23 goals in 47 appearances this term, with Bruce saying pre-match that his star striker is the one player on the field with the ability to become a hero this evening, much like Dean Windass was when finding the net against Bristol City at this stage in 2008.

That Windass belter earned the Humberside outfit a place in the Premier League for the first time ever, but they have since become more accustomed to the top flight having also battled back from disappointment in 2013 when finishing second behind Cardiff City. It was a familiar story last time out, though, as a failure to push away from the drop zone saw City take one of the bottom-three sports and officially face relegation on the final day.

There is a risk, of course, that Hull could become a traditional yo-yo club that is too strong for the Championship but lacks the long-term planning to remain in the top flight. Should they earn a third promotion in eight years today then Bruce will no doubt be preparing his side come tomorrow morning ahead of next season. The Tigers just lacked that added quality needed across the field to oust Brighton, Boro and Burnley this term, so more recruits will certainly be required over the coming weeks and months.

So a good season so far but not brilliant for Hull, but the result this evening could alter that completely. Victory - job done for Steve Bruce. Defeat - a disappointing campaign on the whole for a side backed to go straight back up. That is the cynical nature of these playoffs, although if the semi-finals are anything to go by - the first leg, at least - then City are in good stead. They brushed aside Derby County 3-0 in that semi opener, before being forced to hold on for an hour in the return leg when conceding twice.

PLAYOFF STATS! They are often described as being a lottery, and if the stats are anything to go by then it is hard to argue otherwise. The team finishing fourth in the end-of-season table have gone up just once in the past 17 seasons - a bad omen for Hull, although it was just two years ago when fourth-placed QPR went up to provide the anomaly in that stat. In terms of sixth place, they have not won this fixture since Blackpool overcome Cardiff City 3-2 in 2010 - a final remembered for its high-scoring first half and disappointing second.

Following on from those previous Championship playoff final stats, this fixture has been decided by a one-goal margin nine times out of the last 12. Seven of those matches ended 1-0, in fact - so often extremely cagey with both teams scared of making a potentially costly mistake. Last year we saw Norwich go up comfortably, as Middlesbrough simply failed to turn up in this richest game in football.

The Championship playoff final is so often decided by just the one goal - seven times out of the last 12, in fact - but last year saw Norwich score twice as they beat Middlesbrough. That was far from a classic, in truth, as two goals in the first 15 minutes from Cameron Jerome and Nathan Redmond saw the Canaries cruise to victory at Wembley Stadium.

Norwich City fans celebrate during the Sky Bet Championship Playoff Final between Middlesbrough and Norwich City at Wembley Stadium on May 25, 2015© Getty Images


Well we have taken an in-depth look at Hull's season to date, but what about Sheffield Wednesday's? It is harder to read the Owls' campaign, with some pundits backing them for a playoff finish while others have put this top-six finish down as a surprise. The bottom line is this: Carlos Carvalhal was an unknown when being appointed last summer, taking over a team that had done little to trouble the playoff mix in recent times, but Wednesday did splash out to strengthen their squad.

In came the likes of Fernando Forestieri, Gary Hooper, Marco Matias, Barry Bannan, Joao Lucas and others, with the intention of claiming a place in the end-of-season mix. Spending money is just half the task, of course, as so many teams - most recently Derby - have found out in this most punishing of divisions. Carvalhal deserves so much credit for finally turning the Yorkshire outfit into a team capable of picking up some consistent results; rightly earning a new contract on the eve of this Wembley showdown.

This is actually Wednesday's first trip here in 23 years, with their last playoff final appearance being contested at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Hull are just about favourites this evening due to their blend of experienced heads, and indeed Premier League quality players, throughout the squad, yet it is the Owls who possess a bigger array of attacking talents. Forestieri in particular has impressed this term, bagging 15 goals in total to lead the scoring charts.

Carvalhal actually caught many by surprise when announcing in his final press conference prior to this match that he had agreed to sign a new contract which, despite his hope of only extending by a single year, will see him remain at Hillsborough until 2019. The Portuguese was plucked out of oblivion after being out of a job for a couple of years, but the ex-Besiktas boss has more than proved his worth by spearheading this charge to the Premier League. Forget a new contract - promotion today and Carvalhal will have a statue in Sheffield for far longer than the next three years!

In terms of the Owls' results this term, they have managed to maintain their footing in the higher reaches of the table without truly troubling the top two in the second half of the campaign. Three wins on the bounce at the end of March and beginning of April looked to be enough to get Wednesday over the mark in terms of a playoff finish, but then came a sticky patch as they took three points from the next 12 on offer to open the door for a few other teams.

In truth it has not been a vintage year in the Championship, however, particularly in terms of the also-rans who all lacked consistency to create any sort of tension in the playoff mix. Cardiff were the best of the rest in terms of challenging Wednesday, pouncing on the Owls' slip-up to set up a potential showdown at Hillsborough which Wednesday won in the most comfortable manner possible. That 3-0 win confirmed their sixth-placed finish, allowing Carvalhal to rest key men on the final day of the regular season ahead of a two-legged shootout with Brighton.

Carlos Carvalhal was relatively unknown when being plucked from obscurity to take charge at Hillsborough last summer, but he has since worked wonders and has rightly earned a new three-year deal in Yorkshire. The Owls almost let all their hard work slip through their grasp when taking three points from a possible 12 towards the end of the season, although they managed to get over the line in a simple enough manner in the end before seeing off Brighton over two legs.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match between Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday at Reebok Stadium on September 15, 2015© Getty Images


Wednesday took their chances in that first-leg clash against a much-fancied Brighton side. Taking a two-goal advantage to the South Coast was never going to be comfortable enough for supporters in attendance, though, and so it proved when the Seagulls came out all guns blazing in the second leg. Ross Wallace killed off any hopes of a comeback to fire his side through, meaning the Owls have just one more side to overcome - Hull. With that in mind, let's now switch attention to some confirmed team news from Wembley ahead of the 5pm kickoff.

TEAM NEWS!

HULL CITY STARTING XI: Jakupovic, Odubajo, Dawson, Davies, Robertson, Huddlestone, Livermore, Elmohamady, Snodgrass, Diame, Hernandez

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY STARTING XI: Westwood, Hutchinson, Loovens, Hooper, Lees, Lee, Hunt, Wallace, Pudil, Bannan, Forestieri


Starting with a look at Hull City, and manager Steve Bruce has gone with an unchanged starting lineup for this afternoon's final. The Tigers had just one injury concern heading into this game - goalkeeper Allan McGregor who has been nursing a back complaint over the past month. That means stand-in stopper Eldin Jakupovic retains his place in goal, earning just his fifth league appearance of the season - two of which came in the double-header against Derby County.

Sam Clucas and Chuba Akpom were among those pushing for recalls to the starting lineup, but both have to make do with a place among the back-up options. Abel Hernandez, as expected, is named up top for the Tigers following an impressive campaign at Championship level that has seen him score 23 goals for the club in total. City also boast some Premier League talents in their tanks, most notably Michael Dawson who has played a vital role in the heart of defence when fit this term.

In terms of the Owls, it is just the one change from the semi-final success over Brighton as Sam Hutchinson comes in for Alex Lopez in midfield. That is not too much of a surprise, as the versatile Chelsea academy product impressed when coming on last time out at The Amex. Kieran Lee is another player who has impressed for so much of this campaign, and he will have once more chance to prove his worth this evening on the biggest stage of them all at Wembley Stadium. Just £170m on the line - no pressure.

Plenty of players with the ability to find the net in this Wednesday side, including the aforementioned Wallace who did just that in the semi-finals, but it is Fernando Forestieri up top who will have particular pressure on his shoulders. The Italian featured here for Watford a couple of seasons back, playing his part as Crystal Palace picked up a slender win, so he will be hoping for far happier memories on this latest trip to North London. His record is certainly not bad in front of goal - 15 strikes to his name in all this season.

BENCH WATCH!

HULL CITY SUBS: Kuciak, Bruce, Maguire, Meyler, Maloney, Clucas, Akpom

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY SUBS: Wildsmith, Matias, Nuhiu, Helan, Joao, Lopez, Sasso


I mentioned a little earlier how these playoff finals are so often decided by the single goal, so how big a part could both benches play over the next few hours? Hull City have named Dusan Kuciak as their back-up keeper, with Jakupovic being promoted to the starting lineup in the absence of McGregor. David Meyler provides some added steel, meanwhile, and both Sam Clucas and Chuba Akpom will be desperate to play their part. The Owls have Atdhe Nuhiu and Lucas Joao among their replacement options, with both players capable of finding the net.

A big afternoon ahead for Eldin Jakupovic, who is named in Hull's starting lineup for a league game for just the fifth time this season. Allan McGregor was a big doubt ahead of today's final, so it will now be down to the stand-in stopper to once more put on a big display. While the Tigers remain unchanged, Wednesday have brought Sam Hutchinson into the middle to replace Alex Lopez.

Eldin Jakupovic for Hull on November 11, 2014© Getty Images


PREVIOUS MEETINGS! This is the 50th meeting between these two sides; Wednesday winning 20 times compared to their opponents' 11 victories. Twelve of those fixtures have been contested in more recent times since the turn of the Millennium, with City boasting the better record during that time with six wins. Perhaps more relevant are the two league fixtures this term, which both finished as draws - 1-1 in October and goalless four months later.

Forestieri was shown a red card in that second fixture, incidentally, due to what the referee perceived as being a dive. That made it two dismissals in two outings for the Italian, which perhaps explains why Snodgrass was quoted as saying this week that Bobby Madley must keep a close eye on the Wednesday man in today's match. An unfair reputation or not, any sort of controversial incident at Wembley will be discussed over and over due to the value of the fixture - £170m, if you needed reminding.

With kickoff now a little over 20 minutes away, let us now turn attention towards some pre-match thoughts from both camps ahead of what should be a thrilling affair in North London.

Steve Bruce: "The reason why we weren't closer to Burnley and Middlesbrough is we are capable of putting in an awful performance, which usually happens in the second or the third game in a short period of time. But we know we can perform. Nobody has won 3-0 at Derby this year, or beat Burnley and Middlesbrough 3-0, so we know we are capable. If we do get to the heights then it takes a very, very good team to beat us. Sheffield are a good side, with good players, and we will have to be at our best to beat them."

Carlos Carvalhal: "The players know exactly what they must do in all the moments of the game and we will be ready. I prepare the players the same way we do during the season. We do absolutely nothing different. Wednesday fans have shown all season they are special fans, especially in away games, and they know that we are playing for them. We must play together because we believe a positive environment and a very together environment can make all the difference."


So Bruce admitting there that his side, while so often dominant in big games, have also lacked consistency when it comes to playing games in quick succession. No such risk of that today, of course, with a nice rest since their playoff semi-final win over Derby, but will the players head into this match with the right mindset? Carvalhal going down the 'Do it for the supporters' route, meanwhile, knowing that the noisy Owls fans could well be the difference in a game of such fine margins.

On the subject of supporters, Hull actually failed to sell their allocation of 38,956 tickets for today's game, so do not be surprised when seeing blocks of empty seats at Wembley. Kickoff in North London is now less than 20 minutes away, with both sets of players now going through their final warm-up preparations before heading back to the dressing rooms.

A general view of Wembley Stadium on May 3, 2012© Getty Images


REFEREE WATCH! The man in the middle this afternoon is Bobby Madley, who has been on the Football League officials' list since 2010. The 30-year-old, who is aptly from Yorkshire, was promoted to the panel of Select Group Referees three years later, and is now more accustomed to top-flight fixtures. Madley was actually promoted to the FIFA list earlier this year, too, allowing him to officiate in international fixtures, while his last match here was the League Cup final between Liverpool and Manchester City a couple of months back.

Well hopefully that has whet the appetite a little more ahead of kickoff, which is now around 10 minutes away at Wembley Stadium. Nothing between these two sides over the regular league fixtures, while just nine points separated them over 46 games, so we can surely expect a tight match over the coming hours. All the hopes and dreams now riding on the next 90 minutes or more, in what will be the 50th meeting between these two sides.

It really is a superb occasion and, despite many questioning whether the playoffs are a fair way of doing things, it does provide this thrilling conclusion to a season. We will see Barnsley take on Millwall in the League One equivalent this time tomorrow, while Wimbledon lock horns with Plymouth Argyle on Bank Holiday Monday - plenty of footballing action to keep you occupied! We start right now, though, with the two sets of players shortly about to embark down the tunnel and onto the field of play.

PREDICTION! If you have still yet to check out our in-depth match preview, then be sure to click here before kickoff to get fully up to speed. In the meantime, here is Sports Mole reporter Darren Plant's prediction for how this one will pan out:

"Hull have had to overcome the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion to reach Saturday's final and we feel that the mental toughness that they have displayed will give them the edge at Wembley. Wednesday head into the game in better form but Hull are strong from front to back and they should have enough in reserve to earn an immediate return to the top flight."


Here is a little shot of Wembley Way from a short while ago, but the streets around this famous ground are now beginning to look a little deserted again with the vast majority in their seats. We are now ready to get going in the first ever all-Yorkshire Championship playoff final!

#WembelyWay heaving with fans ahead of kick-off here. @swfcofficial v @hullcityofficial in the #championship #playofffinal

A photo posted by Wembley Stadium (@wembleystadium) on



KICKOFF! We are up and running in the 10th Championship playoff final to be contested at the new Wembley Stadium. A few empty seats in the Hull City end, as already mentioned a little earlier, but still plenty of Tigers supporters and Sheffield Wednesday fans in attendance to create a storming atmosphere.

Hernandez goes in with a lunging challenge just a couple of minutes in, but Hutchinson is quickly back to his feet so referee Bobby Madley gives the Hull man just a little talking to. So much on the line today, as summed up by that early challenge.

A nervy moment for Hull as Wednesday knock the ball around the edge of the box, but Forestieri cannot quite pick out a teammate and the Tigers clear their lines. The game has still yet to settle down with both teams looking to get forward.

SAVE! The first shot of the afternoon leads to the first save, although it was fairly simple for Westwood down the middle. Huddlestone certainly knows how to a hit a ball, and he put his foot right through this attempt that unfortunately for him ended right down the middle

A superb ball from Dawson out to Snodgrass down the left leads to a cross coming into the box, but there was no Hull player around to get on the end of it. The Tigers arguably settling better here, but Carvalhal will not be all that concerned at the moment.

YELLOW CARD! Ten minutes in and Michael Dawson earns himself a yellow card for lunging in on Forestieri. The Italian did superbly to get in behind down the left, bursting towards the box before seeing his run halted. Bobby Madley left with little choice in the end.

SAVE! The save count is levelled up at one apiece, as Forestieri brushes himself down and goes for goal from the tight angle. Stand-in stopper Jakupovic happy to just punch the ball over his bar on this occasion, with the resultant corner coming to nothing.

Forestieri's shot is blocked into a central position, but again Hull clear their lines. Wednesday looking the more promising side over the past six or seven minutes, going with a shoot-on-sight policy against the Tigers' stand-in stopper.

SAVE! Another save made by Jakupovic inside the opening quarter of this match, the latest coming from a Ross Wallace free kick from range. The back-up keeper certainly likes punching the ball, which he does once more - to good effect, it must be said.

Hull looked the better side in the opening stages of this match, although since then you would have to say Wednesday have looked the more likely to open the scoring. Yet to see any clear-cut chances of any note, but the Owls have had a couple of half-decent attempts on goal.

Not a great deal happening out on the pitch at the moment, but both sets of supporters making plenty of noise inside Wembley Stadium still. That first goal really will be vital, although it does not look likely to arrive any time soon.

Twenty-three goals in 47 appearances for Abel Hernandez this season, but he has barely had a sniff so far today. Wednesday have got their star man on the ball a couple of times, and Forestieri even got in behind on one occasion to draw a foul out of Dawson.

More than a quarter of the way through this match so far, and not too much to stop Steve Bruce from smiling. Wednesday have just about edged things overall, but neither side done enough to break the deadlock so far in North London.

Hull boss Steve Bruce is all smiles ahead of his side's encounter with Wolves on August 16, 2015© Getty Images


The high-tempo play we saw in the opening 15 minutes or so of this match has since made way for a far more reserved contest. A bit dull, in fact, but that can be expected in a match of this magnitude.

OFF THE LINE! First big moment of this Championship playoff final from a Hull corner, as a Hernandez header is cleared off the line by Lees. Calls for handball but it clearly hit the Wednesday man square on the chest.

Forestieri well off the mark from a shot as Wednesday look to wrestle back control of the match. Just watching the replay back of that handball incident, Bobby Madley got it right for me - the ball skimmed off the hand of Lees from Dawson's follow-up but no way was it a pen.

SAVE! Superb ball over the top for Elmohamady, who just could not control the ball inside the box. From the next attacking move Hernandez fares better with his touch, sending a shot towards goal that Westwood brilliantly keeps out with the use of his full frame.

This is without question the best spell either side has had in this game, with Hull in complete control over the past 10 minutes. Odubajo with the latest attempt, sending his shot a yard wide of Westwood's goal from the edge of the box.

The Owls just knocking the ball around now in an attempt to take the sting out of Hull's tail. City dominating possession, especially in the final third of the field as they throw all they have at their opponents in a final that is growing in tension.

Carvalhal's charges have done well to see off that growing pressure, and are now looking to get forward themselves. Think both managers would take this scoreline at the break, but Bruce will be the happier of the two managers going by the last 15 minutes.

OFF THE POST! Hull, having already had one shot saved off the line, are now denied by the frame of the goal. Diame had three men around him as he charged into the box, but none of them could get a touch on the ball and the midfielder was allowed to get a shot away. He looked to scuff it slightly but it so nearly beat Westwood at his near post.

CHANCE! Not quite sure how Hull have not taken the lead in this game. Chance after chance now, the latest of which falls to Odubajo who is played through at a slight angle. The ex-Brentford man looked to dink it over Westwood, who again came out on top to rescue his side.

A rare respite for Wednesday as they win a free kick. Wallace swings it into a promising position, but Lees could only direct it wide of the target. Just the one minute of added time to be played at the end of this first half.

HALF TIME: HULL CITY 0-0 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

Bobby Madley brings the first half to a close to the relief of Carvalhal. Lees did manage to get a header on target with the final act of the half, but Wednesday have been second best for large parts of this match. Still goalless at the break, though, and therefore plenty still to play for in the second 45 minutes.

The first shot of the match arrived just six minutes in, as Huddlestone was allowed to put his foot through the ball on the edge of the box only to strike it right down the middle for Westwood to collect. Ross Wallace and Forestieri took it in turns to test Jakupovic as the half wore on, with Wednesday beginning to enjoy themselves a little more at Wembley.

The second quarter of the half was bossed by Hull, though, who saw Hernandez's header stopped on the line by Lees and also came close when Diame belted a shot against the upright 40 minutes in. Hernandez and Odubajo also had one-on-one attempts kept out by an inspired Westwood, who was the difference maker come the end of the half. The Tigers somehow find themselves level at the interval.

BENCH WATCH!

HULL CITY SUBS: Kuciak, Bruce, Maguire, Meyler, Maloney, Clucas, Akpom

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY SUBS: Wildsmith, Matias, Nuhiu, Helan, Joao, Lopez, Sasso


We remain all square at Wembley Stadium in the playoff final, as was the case in both regular league meetings between these two sides this term. Will something give over the next 45 minutes, or will we need extra time?

Carlos Carvalhal and Steve Bruce watch on during the Championship playoff final between Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday on May 28, 2016© AFP


RESTART! Sheffield Wednesday get us going in this second half at Wembley, looking to create some sort of momentum. No question that Hull City had the better of things in the opening 45 minutes.

A reminder of that pre-match stat - nine of the last 12 playoff finals at this level have been decided by a single goal, while seven of those have come by a 1-0 scoreline. You fancy the side that opens the scoring to go on and win the contest.

Wednesday have started the half well, getting a few balls into the box that have so far been met by nobody in a blue and white shirt. City just need to find their feet again, having looked so strong going forward for large parts of that first half.

CHANCE! First opening of the half falls the way of the man Wednesday supporters would have wanted - Forestieri pouncing on a Dawson slip to race in behind. Davies did superbly to get back, though, putting his boot on the ball to deny the Italian a shot at goal.

SAVE! Wednesday cannot keep relying on their keeper to keep them in this game. Dawson's shot from a Snodgrass cross is heading for the back of the net, if not for the timely intervention. A more balanced half of football, but City look so dangerous.

I make it five saves that Westwood has made now, with probably four of those being right out of the top drawer. That latest save to deny Dawson really was superb, and could just act as a turning point if the Owls push on.

CHANCE! Without question the best chance of the match so far, which Robertson has completely fluffed. Odubajo curled the ball into the path of his fellow full-back, but his teammate fired a couple of yards over the bar first time when completely unmarked just a few yards from goal.

Hutchinson, starting for the first time in two months, is wayward with his 20-yard drive after some positive build-up play. Brilliant game of football at the moment, as Forestieri sees a shot deflect well wide for a corner.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY SUB! First chance of the match arrives shortly after the hour mark, as Jeremy Helan replaces Ross Wallace. Bruce just happy to stick with things they are for the time being, it seems.

Hull going down the more patient route now, and the fear for their supporters is that they have used up all their chances for once match. Wednesday, with the aid of Helan's fresh legs, could now turn the game in their favour for the first time today.

Abel Hernandez grimaces after seeing Kieran Westwood keep out his latest attempt of the match. Wednesday have used up so many lives this evening, but still they are level and could just pounce in the remaining 25 minutes.

Abel Hernandez reacts to a missed chance during the Championship playoff final between Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday on May 28, 2016© AFP


Far more evenly matched over the past 15 minutes or so, with chances being kept to a premium now. Extra time is now beginning to loom, with just over 20 minutes of normal time left to play. Just one goal likely to be enough now!

Livermore goes on an ambitious run that so nearly pays dividends, but an opposition player got across well to clear the danger. Forget a moment of magic from one player; a scrappy goal will do for either side right about now.

GOAL! HULL CITY 1-0 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (MOHAMED DIAME)

Well take back that last comment about a moment of brilliance being unlikely - this is an absolute gem from Diame! The midfielder, who struck the post earlier in the game, let leash from range with a shot that Westwood saw fly past him and into the back of the net. At long last Hull lead in this playoff final!

A couple of players pulling up with cramp now, but that will do Hull just fine as we head into the final 15 minutes. That goal really does change everything; Wednesday now needing to go all out in attack in search of a leveller. That Diame strike really was a belter.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY SUB! Second change for the Owls - Hutchinson unsurprisingly being taken off and Nuhiu coming on in his place. Carvalhal going all-out attack for the remainder, but for now Bruce is still sticking with what is currently a winning formula.

Odubajo has really stood out this evening, but this latest attempt was rather poor as he blasted into the side-netting. Wednesday unable to really get on the ball since going behind, which will have to change if they are to seriously trouble their opponents.

HULL CITY SUB! Good game management from Bruce, who brings on Clucas for Snodgrass in midfield. The Scotsman clearly does not agree as he is clearly unhappy making his way to the touchline, but this is a team game after all.

Hernandez sees his shot blocked behind for a corner, which Davies nods wide at the back stick. Hull have been edging things since going ahead, seeing this game through comfortably at the moment with time fast ticking down.

HULL CITY SUB! David Meyler will add some more steel to the Hull side for the final stages of the match, replacing Abel Hernandez in the side. A brace choice from Bruce, because extra time could well be on the cards if Wednesday can create just once final chance.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY SUB! This is it, then - one final roll of the dice from Carvalhal as he throws on a fourth striker. Lucas Joao is once in place of Pudil with just three minutes left to play in North London.

HULL CITY SUB! Hull have done so well to contain their opponents since edging ahead, with Bruce using his subs wisely to continuously break up play. The final change of the match has been made - goalscorer Diame being replaced by Harry Maguire.

City so very nearly over the line now with just three minutes of added time to be played. They are eating up further seconds by pulling up with cramp at the moment - gamesmanship, maybe, but the Tigers have certainly been the better side today.

Sixty seconds left to play at Wembley Stadium, and Wednesday just cannot get the ball into an advanced position. That has been the case ever since falling behind, really, with City doing more than enough to secure the win.

FULL TIME: HULL CITY 1-0 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

HULL CITY ARE PROMOTED BACK TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE!

Hull City have done it! They are back in the Premier League after a one-year absence, thanks to Mohamed Diame's strike 18 minutes from time at Wembley Stadium. The Tigers were good value for their victory, having dominated the game's big chances and also doing so well to see things through when finally edging ahead.

That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Wembley Stadium, but before heading off why not check out this on-the-whistle report following an entertaining game of football. Reaction from the playoff final will also follow in due course, or if you would rather than the Champions League final build-up is now in full swing right here. Enjoy!

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Steve Bruce watches on during the Championship playoff semi-final between Derby County and Hull City on May 14, 2016
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