Hull City has begun their return to the Premier League with an impressive two wins from two matches, maintaining a perfect start to the season. Their latest victory came against Coventry City, secured by a late goal from Canadian winger Liam Millar. Millar’s decisive strike came in the 82nd minute after a swift counterattack initiated by Mohamed Belloumi, putting the Tigers ahead despite earlier missing a clear chance to open the scoring.
The win follows an opening-day victory over Manchester United, giving Hull four points and keeping them undefeated after two fixtures. Scotland striker Oli McBurnie praised Millar’s composure in front of goal, highlighting the winger's resilience after the initial miss. McBurnie also commended goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakís, who kept a clean sheet for the second consecutive game. The Greece international became the first newly promoted Premier League goalkeeper to record back-to-back shutouts since David Raya achieved the feat with Brentford five years ago.
Hull’s defensive solidity has been a key factor early in the campaign. Their back three of Semi Ajayi, John Egan, and Nobel Mendy have impressed with their ability to contain opposition threats, allowing the team to absorb pressure even with lower possession figures. Hull’s average share of possession in their two matches has hovered around 30 percent, a tactical approach embraced by the squad and their manager Sergej Jakirovic. McBurnie noted that the team feels comfortable with this strategy, especially when facing stronger opponents who dominate possession.
This approach contrasts with many newly promoted teams who attempt to play a possession-based style in the Premier League, a tactic that has proven challenging for others. Coventry head coach Frank Lampard observed that Hull seem to “incite crosses” to exploit spaces effectively, taking advantage of quick transitions and defensive organization.
Statistically, Hull maintained a similar offensive profile to their previous Championship season, where they ranked fifth-lowest in shots taken but fifth-highest in goals scored, reflecting their clinical efficiency. Their ability to create high-quality chances and convert them at a strong rate has carried over into the top flight so far. In the match against Coventry, Hull’s counterattacks grew in threat as the opposition pushed forward, culminating in several well-constructed moves that tested the visitors’ defense.
Looking ahead to their upcoming fixture against Aston Villa, Hull remain focused on continuing their positive momentum. Millar expressed hope that their strong start is not merely a temporary phase, but a foundation for sustained performance throughout the season. Despite historical precedence showing that some teams have struggled after winning their opening two Premier League games — Hull themselves having been relegated after a similar start in 2017 — the Tigers appear determined to defy expectations in their return to the top tier.