'Maybe people will stop sleeping on us' - Hull enjoy dream return

What the report says

Hull City made a striking return to the Premier League by beating Manchester United 2-0 in their opening league match, a result that immediately challenged pre-season predictions that they would struggle near the bottom of the table. The BBC Sport report said the goals came in the first half from defenders Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy, with Hull’s first league win over United since 1974.

Manager Sergej Jakirovic said the club were trying to “prove people wrong” after a summer in which Hull were widely viewed as relegation candidates. He noted that there are still 37 matches left, but called the victory a strong foundation for the months ahead. Ajayi made a similar point after the match, stressing that the squad were focused on proving themselves right rather than reacting to outside criticism.

The result carried added weight because Hull had only returned to the top flight after a nine-year absence, having reached the Premier League through the Championship play-offs despite a modest statistical record in the league phase. The BBC Sport piece also highlighted that the team fielded a mix of familiar players and several new signings, reflecting a squad still being built during the transfer window.

For Hull, the win was more than three points: it offered early evidence that they may be more competitive than many expected, and it could help both confidence and recruitment as the season develops.