Superb Hull City started their Premier League season with a terrific 2-0 win over Manchester United at the MKM Stadium, to secure a first-ever top-flight win against the 13-time champions. The home side were good value for the lead given to them after 17 minutes when Semi Ajayi crashed in from close range after Senne Lammens had beaten away Oli McBurnie’s effort from a Tigers corner.
That lead was doubled after 38 minutes when Regan Slater’s free-kick was powered in by the head of Nobel Mendy to cap what was a fine first-half display from Sergej Jakirovic’s side. City defended brilliantly in the second half to keep out United, and they could have added to their tally in the second half but will be more than content with one of their most famous victories in the Premier League.
Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at the MKM Stadium on opening day….
Konstantinos Tzolakis: Looked calm early on and made a good reaction save to deny Mbeumo after a lack of communication in the box from Shaw’s cross. Made the saves he needed to and was just outstanding all afternoon. Looks every bit the £20m goalkeeper we thought he was. 9/10
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Ryan Giles: A couple of nervy moments early on against Mbeumo, before crossing brilliantly for McBurnie to force a good save. Didn’t have it easy against Mbeumo, but stuck to his task really well. 8/10
Semi Ajayi: Right place, right time to slam City in front after McBurnie’s shot was saved. A really dominant performance from the Nigerian, but sadly had to come off with what looked like a limp along with Mendy. 9/10
Nobel Mendy: An impressive first half on debut, capped off by a fine header to double City’s lead before half-time. Such a good, dominant debut and cruelly cut short when he was forced off injured. 9/10
John Egan: Relished his afternoon against Matheus Cunha and stood up to it. Was excellent, and his experience was badly needed when City lost two of their three central defenders, and he did not disappoint. 9/10
Lewie Coyle: His heart must have been beating some at kick-off, and he almost carved out the opener for McBurnie with a back post cross. Dealt really well with Marcus Rashford in the early part of the second period before he was forced off injured. 8/10
Regan Slater: Grew into the first half, and his fine first 45 was capped by a tremendous free-kick onto the head of Mendy for the second. Never stopped in the second half, and showed real quality and discipline. 8/10
Matt Crooks: Like Slater, slow to get into but was excellent in the first half and did everything he needed to, nicking the ball away and generally being a nuisance. Could have got Belloumi away second half with a sharper ball. Alongside Slater, was excellent int he second period. 8/10
Mo Belloumi: Some really nice touches in the first half, and it was his speed of thought that won the free-kick for the second goal. Had a couple of efforts, but showed real discipline when he needed to in the second half. 8/10
Elliot Stroud: Never stopped in the first period on his debut, and tried to link up with Giles. Battled hard on a day where he found out what the pace of the Premier League is really like. 7.5/10
Oli McBurnie: Almost had an early sight of goal from Coyle’s cross, but just beaten by Mazraoui, then saw a header well saved by Lammens, who then prodded his shot into the path of Ajayi for 1-0. When he won the ball and skipped past challenge after challenge just before the hour, he got the standing ovation his performance deserved. 9/10
Subs:
Lucas Herrington (for Mendy 65): On for his debut against United, and looked calm and composed alongside John Egan in the hear of the defence, and did superbly well. Was not at all daunted by what he was facing. 7/10
Paddy McNair (for Ajayi 65): Beaten once by Mbeumo and needed his goalkeeper. He headed and kicked everything he could in the final stages. 7/10
Cody Drameh (for Coyle 70): Fine tackle on Rashford, and almost came close to making 3-0 when his shot from the right side angled inches wide of the post. 7/10
Liam Millar (for Stroud 70): Had a great run after winning the ball, but couldn’t find the cross after working his way into the box. Gave City a good outlet, was booked in added time for trying to win a free-kick. 7/10
Matt Targett (for Giles 84): Looked calm and assured in the final stages, especially when he touched down a deep cross into the path of Tzolakis. 7/10
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