Hull City kicked off their Premier League campaign in style with a convincing 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the MKM Stadium, marking their first-ever top-flight triumph against the record 13-time champions. The hosts were deserving of their advantage, which arrived in the 17th minute when Semi Ajayi finished from close range after Senne Lammens had initially saved Oli McBurnie’s strike from a Hull corner.
The advantage was extended four minutes before the interval when Regan Slater’s set-piece was headed home by Nobel Mendy, completing an impressive opening 45 minutes from Sergej Jakirovic’s squad. Hull produced a resolute defensive display after the break to keep United at bay, and although they could have added further goals in the second period, they will be thoroughly satisfied with one of their most notable Premier League victories.
Here follows Tigers reporter Barry Cooper’s assessment of the players at the MKM Stadium on the opening day…
Konstantinos Tzolakis: Commanded his area well early on and produced an excellent reflex stop to frustrate Mbeumo following uncertain marking from Shaw’s delivery. Made the saves required of him and was imperious throughout the contest. Appears fully worth the £20m price tag many anticipated. 9/10
Ryan Giles: Endured some anxious moments initially against Mbeumo before delivering an excellent cross for McBurnie which forced a smart stop. Found things difficult against Mbeumo but perservered admirably. 8/10
Semi Ajayi: Positioned perfectly to fire Hull ahead after McBurnie’s strike was saved. A commanding display from the Nigerian, though he was unfortunately forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring issue alongside Mendy. 9/10
Nobel Mendy: A promising first appearance capped by a neat header to extend Hull’s advantage before the break. An impressive debut, though tragically cut short when injury struck. 9/10
John Egan: Enjoyed his battle with Matheus Cunha and rose to the challenge admirably. Superb, and his experience proved invaluable as Hull lost two of their three centre-backs, delivering exactly what was needed. 9/10
Lewie Coyle: Must have been feeling the nerves at the start, nearly providing McBurnie with the opener via a back-post delivery. Handled Marcus Rashford effectively during the early stages of the second half before picking up an injury. 8/10
Regan Slater: Gradually found his rhythm in the opening period, and his impressive first 45 was highlighted by a superb free-kick delivery for Mendy’s second. Never relented after the break, demonstrating both quality and composure. 8/10
Matt Crooks: Like Slater, sluggish early on but grew into the first half and performed admirably, winning possession and generally causing problems. Could have released Belloumi with a crisper pass after the interval. Alongside Slater, was strong in the closing stages. 8/10
Mo Belloumi: Some neat approach play in the opening period, and his quick thinking earned the free-kick which led to the second goal. Had efforts on goal, but demonstrated real composure when required after the break. 8/10
Elliot Stroud: Perpetually active during his first appearance, attempting to combine with Giles. Worked hard on a day that demonstrated the intensity of Premier League football. 7.5/10
Oli McBurnie: Came close to an early opportunity from Coyle’s delivery, only denied by Mazraoui, then saw a header kept out by Lammens, who could only parry into Ajayi’s path for the opener. When he won the ball and evaded multiple challenges approaching the hour mark, he earned the ovation his display warranted. 9/10
Substitutes:
Lucas Herrington (replaced Mendy 65): Handed his first appearance against United, and appeared assured and composed alongside Egan in the heart of the backline, performing admirably. Showed no signs of being overawed by the challenge ahead. 7/10
Paddy McNair (replaced Ajayi 65): Caught out once by Mbeumo and required his goalkeeper’s assistance. Cleared everything he could in the dying minutes. 7/10
Cody Drameh (replaced Coyle 70): Produced a solid challenge on Rashford, and went close to adding a third when his strike from the right flew narrowly past the post. 7/10
Liam Millar (replaced Stroud 70): Burst forward effectively after winning possession but could not pick out a team-mate after advancing into the penalty area. Offered Hull an outlet and was cautioned in stoppage time for attempting to win a free-kick. 7/10
Matt Targett (replaced Giles 84): Appeared comfortable and confident in the closing stages, particularly when he controlled a deep delivery and found Tzolakis. 7/10