Hull City made a triumphant return to the top flight on Saturday, securing a stunning 2-0 victory over Manchester United in their opening match of the Premier League season. The Tigers entered the campaign as heavy favorites for relegation after scraping through the Championship play-offs last spring.
Manager Sergej Jakirovic saw his side defy expectations with a dominant first-half performance at home. Defenders Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy scored the crucial goals before the interval to seal a historic result against opponents widely tipped to challenge for a top-four finish.
The triumph marked Hull's first league victory over Manchester United since a Second Division encounter in 1974. It also represented the club's first appearance in the Premier League since May 2017, concluding an absence that included a spell in League One.
Speaking after the match, Jakirovic addressed the widespread pessimism surrounding his squad's chances of survival. The Bosnian manager, making history as the first from his country to manage in the division, emphasized that his team intends to challenge the skeptics all season long.
The club's preseason preparations had been overshadowed by dismissive commentary from several former top-flight players on podcasts. Jakirovic had previously challenged pundits to back up their low expectations with financial wagers, noting that his squad earned their promotion entirely on merit.
Hull secured sixth place in the Championship on the final day of the previous campaign via goal difference before navigating the play-offs. Remarkably, the squad achieved promotion despite statistical indicators that suggested vulnerability, having faced the third-highest number of shots in the division.
Squad stability combined with fresh investment provided the foundation for Saturday's success. Five members of the starting lineup had also featured for the club during a relegation battle in 2025 that was similarly avoided only on goal difference.
At the same time, the club integrated several summer acquisitions into the setup following an active transfer window. Mendy, one of eleven new arrivals, joined fellow summer signing Konstantinos Tzolakis in the starting lineup alongside returning veterans like Regan Slater.
Despite the elation of a dream start, the squad remained grounded regarding the challenges ahead. Ajayi pointed out that a single victory does not silence all doubters, though he expressed hope that the performance would command greater respect going forward.
Jakirovic echoed that sentiment, acknowledging that thirty-seven fixtures remain in the campaign. The manager described the opening result as a solid foundation for the club's long-term objectives as they navigate their maiden campaign back among the elite.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.
