Semi Ajayi’s 17th-minute finish turned Hull City’s Premier League return into an immediate statement, setting Sergej Jakirović’s side on the way to a 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the MKM Stadium. The result delivered Hull’s first Premier League win over United and left the visitors with an opening-day defeat.
Ajayi and Mendy turn set pieces into a shock
Ajayi, a centre-back, reacted best after a Hull corner to force the ball home for 1-0. United had earlier threatened through Bryan Mbeumo, while Oli McBurnie’s header was stopped at the other end, but Hull made their decisive moments count.
The second arrived in the 38th minute and again came from a dead ball. Nobel Mendy headed in following a free-kick, giving Hull a 2-0 half-time lead built on clinical finishing from their two central defenders.
Joe Cole’s Hull City joke receives an early answer
Joe Cole had joked on a podcast that he put his phone on do not disturb so TNT Sports could not ask him to cover Hull City’s opener against Manchester United. He also said Hull had come up through the “back door” and that he would be stunned if they stayed up; one match into the campaign, that gag has aged rather quickly.
