Coventry 0-1 Hull City: What Jakirovic saidpublished at 18:36 BST 29 August
18:36 BST 29 August
Media caption,
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic told BBC Sport: "The team played a good game. They tried to overload our right side. Some changes at half-time, we had some good counter-attacks. We needed better decisions.
"Second half, a lot of crosses came into our box and we controlled everything there.
"In the end I'm very pleased. Two games, six points - not bad.
"As their home game they tried to put some more risk on the pitch. Frank tried with the subs.
"At half-time we had problems [with fitness and injury]. We knew they would put more and more risk and there would be big space behind the back and we used that."
On Lucas Gourna-Douath: "He also struggled with some moments because he didn't pass all of pre-season. He played good. He's a good young player and we can improve him. It's great experience for him.
"We will grow every game. It's a new experience for us, even for me. We will try to improve some things and maybe play even better."
Hull's Konstantinos Tzolakis is the first goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a promoted side's opening two games of a Premier League season since David Raya in 2021-22 (for Brentford).
Hull's Liam Millar became just the ninth Canadian player to score a Premier League goal, while he was the first Canadian to score the winning goal in a top-flight match since Daniel Jebbison for Sheffield United in May 2021 (v Everton).
Analysis: Tenacious Tigers take the spoilspublished at 18:14 BST 29 August
18:14 BST 29 August
Steve Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Hull had their moments against Manchester United a week ago, particularly from set-pieces and crosses, but for most of this encounter they offered very little going forward.
Instead they appeared content to allow Coventry to monopolise possession before opportunistically capitalising with the final whistle in sight.
However, one theme that runs through both performances is that Jakirovic appears to have a well-drilled team that is bursting with tenacity.
While Coventry have failed to score since being promoted, Hull are yet to concede in over 180 minutes of football.
And Nobel Mendy, John Egan and Semi Ajayi all performed admirably at the heart of a five-man defence, while goalkeeper Tzolakis, looks worth every penny of the £20m fee it took to prise him away from Olympiakos this summer.
The Greek international was competent dealing with high balls into the penalty area and is the first goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a promoted side's opening two games of a Premier League season since David Raya in 2021-22 for Brentford.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Newcastle" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Everton match", for example.
Sutton's predictions: Coventry v Hullpublished at 11:06 BST 29 August
11:06 BST 29 August
I thought Andros Townsend was a bit harsh on Coventry City on the Monday Night Club talking about the way they were beaten by Arsenal. I think Arsenal have the best team, the best squad and I don't think we can really judge Coventry on that.
I think seven or eight of the players were playing in the Championship last season so this is a big game because you can imagine Coventry fans thinking this is a great chance at home to get three points after a tough start.
But Hull will go into this thinking if they can go back-to-back then what a start that is because they've been written off by idiots like myself. But I am going to edge Coventry at home.
Coventry City v Hull City: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:06 BST 28 August
19:06 BST 28 August
Paul Birch BBC Sport journalist
A first top-flight meeting between Coventry City and Hull City becomes the 1,454th different fixture to be played in England's top division and the 942nd since the Premier League was formed. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes going into Saturday's match.
These newly promoted sides face each other having had contrasting fortunes from tough assignments on their Premier League comebacks.
Having been roundly tipped to make an immediate return to the Championship, Hull City were in dreamland after confounding their critics as the Tigers tore into Manchester United.
The doom-laden pre-season predictions had irked everyone at the club, with head coach Sergej Jakirovic calling it "disrespect", so a 2-0 victory over the 13-time Premier League champions will have tasted particularly sweet.
"We are trying to prove people wrong," he said afterwards. "I know there are 37 games to go, but this is a good base for the future.
"We showed last season we are mentally very strong and that we can compete against everyone - maybe that is the key. This victory is amazing because now they are convinced they can compete at this level."
His assistant, Dean Holden, revealed after the game that they had been planning for weeks to play a back three to target weaknesses they had spotted studying Manchester United's matches in pre-season.
Victory was achieved despite having just 28% possession and similar low figures are set to become the norm for Hull this season. "We are comfortable without the ball," Holden said. "It isn't like we are coming up here having dominated the Championship and now we have to change our style. We are comfortable in a mid-block - that is one of our biggest strengths - and playing on the counter-attack is as well."
Coventry desperate for points amid tricky start
Coventry, of course, cannot be properly judged on their opening match given facing Arsenal is arguably the toughest gig in club football at the moment.
In what was a baptism of fire in their first top-flight game for 25 years, they found themselves two goals down and on the ropes at the Emirates after just 23 minutes. To their credit, the Sky Blues didn't cave in, but it was a salutary lesson in the gulf in class between the Championship and the Premier League.
Their first Premier League home fixture since a 0-0 draw with Bradford City in May 2001 is on paper an much easier test than the facing the Gunners, but that performance by Hull against Manchester United has heaped more pressure on Frank Lampard's side.
As defeat for the Sky Blues would leave them six points adrift of their fellow promoted side after just two matches, a far from ideal scenario especially as Opta's calculations rate Coventry's opening schedule as being the toughest of any team.
Picking up points at the CBS Arena will be crucial and they boasted the best home record in the Championship last season, amassing 55 points from their 23 games (W17, D4, L2).
Lampard will be desperate to improve on a record of just one win in his past 18 top-flight games as a manager, and no clean sheets in his past 17. But he can at least fall back on excellent results against Hull City. Eight matches without defeat versus the Tigers is the best record of his managerial career, while he was also unbeaten against them in six top-flight matches as a player.
Burnley make Giles offerpublished at 14:10 BST 28 August
14:10 BST 28 August
A Hull City club source tells me that Burnley have made an offer for Ryan Giles but "an answer hasn't been given" in response to that.
Giles was, I'm told, on the club's list of players who were under consideration for being moved on prior to last week's Man Utd win.
Listen to talk about Hull City every Monday to Friday on Humberside Sport at 18:00 and subscribe to our dedicated Hull City page on BBC Sounds for all the latest Tigers interviews, discussion and special features.
Gourna-Douath dedicates Premier League move to mum and brotherpublished at 13:22 BST 28 August
13:22 BST 28 August
Media caption,
Hull City's summer signing Lucas Gourna-Douath has credited his family for inspiring him to achieve his dream of playing in the Premier League.
The defensive midfielder told BBC Radio Humberside: "I grew up with my mum and my brother and he helped me a lot. I hung out with him a lot of the time so I took his maturity.
"I had a really good education from my mum because when I woke up every morning, I saw her working every day, fighting for me and my brother to sort us out and I think she did really well.
"I was outside with my brother, we went to school together, we grew up together, then I go to the academy. That's why I love my mum and my brother. I know every day when I put my feet on the pitch, I fight for them, to make them proud of me.
"I think they're proud but they never show me that they're proud because they want me to stay humble. If I can make a smile on my mum's face, it's the best gift I can get in my head."
'It is going to be a really good challenge' - Chopublished at 17:06 BST 27 August
17:06 BST 27 August
Image source, Hull City AFC
New Hull City signing Mohamed-Ali Cho says he is looking forward to playing alongside some of his friends in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old forward has left Ligue 1 club Nice and penned a five-year deal at the MKM Stadium, becoming the club's 12th summer signing.
Since leaving Real Sociedad to join Nice in January 2024, Cho has made 93 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and contributing 13 assists.
"I'm really excited to be here and I'm looking forward to helping the team as soon as possible," Cho said. "It is the best league in the world. It is going to be a really good challenge. I'm really happy to be back in the UK and close to my family.
"My friend Nobel Mendy scored [against Manchester United] and I was really happy for him. I know Darko [Gyabi] from the England youth team and Lucas [Gourna] from back in Paris.
"I'm an attacker. I can play in all three forward positions. My qualities are dribbling, speed, taking risks and taking on players.
"I can't wait to get to know the fans, play in front of them and hopefully get some good results, help the team and score some goals."
Alongside his extensive senior experience, Cho has also featured in the Champions League and Europa League 21 times for his previous clubs.
Jakirovic on squad fitness, transfer targets and Coventrypublished at 15:35 BST 27 August
15:35 BST 27 August
Media caption,
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Premier League game against Coventry City at the CBS Arena (15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Jakirovic confirmed he has the same squad to select from as the opening day win over Manchester United: "We are fine. All these players had a training session today. We are all completely fine. So, we are ready for Saturday."
He reflected on changing his entire starting XI for Tuesday's Carabao Cup penalty shootout win over Stoke: "We used this opportunity to give minutes to the players who arrived and it was great because it's also about adaptation. It means we can have more players for the next games and I was very pleased because they played a good game."
More on the players who featured on Tuesday: "It's about hunger, passion, ambition. You will get opportunities to play and show your potential. That was the main goal and they responded very well. I was very pleased how we played and now we have even more options for Saturday."
Jakirovic also confirmed the club are close to signing forwards Mohamed-Ali Cho and Ilyas Ansah: "We agreed everything with Cho so I think he will be announced today. With Ansah he will go for a medical check so I expect tomorrow it will be finished. This is a great signing for us."
However, he did not comment on reported interest in Brentford's Fabio Carvalho and joked: "I can't wait to finish this transfer window, to be honest."
On the challenge posed by fellow promoted side Coventry: "Every game is very important. We know Coventry from our games in the Championship. I'm expecting a very demanding game as it's their first home game back in 25 years and it will be a full stadium. It will be difficult but also we have our plan, we will try to perform good there and try to take something."
More on Frank Lampard's side: "I see some changes. They added more quality in some positions. They are human beings and they need some time for adaptation, like our players. I am expecting them to grow every game like my team. For us, every new game is a new experience. I expect they will already be better than the game against Arsenal."
Asked if he is enjoying life as a Premier League manager so far, Jakirovic replied: "I enjoy very much. Still, for me, this is football and I am just doing my job. It is a great motivation for me that I can show my potential and we can be competitive and play against much bigger teams. We want to prove everybody wrong and that we are on a good way. That is good motivation."
On whether his side suits the role of underdogs: "Of course we are underdogs. We spent £144m in transfer market. Who is close to us? Coventry spent £260m/£270m. It's normal, but still money doesn't play. That is always my opinion. I never see money scoring the goal, it is players. As a team, we can be dangerous and competitive."
Hit play above to hear more from Jakirovic, speaking to BBC Radio Humberside - including an update on Charlie Hughes' recovery from a groin injury - or listen on BBC Sounds
Hull keen on Man Utd's Collyerpublished at 16:28 BST 26 August
16:28 BST 26 August
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Hull City are emerging as the favourites to sign Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer.
The 22-year-old is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford despite being part of Michael Carrick's squad in pre-season, latterly to replace Mason Mount after his injury against Paris St-Germain in Stockholm on 8 August.
West Bromwich Albion boss James Morrison is keen to take Collyer back to The Hawthorns, where a loan move in the first half of last season was badly hampered by injury.
It did appear the Baggies were in pole position to complete a deal.
However, Hull have also been considering whether to try to bring Collyer back to the club where he spent the second half of the 2025-26 campaign, which was also disrupted by injury.
No decision has been made yet but it is looking increasingly like the lure of the Premier League will end up being the decisive factor, with Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic keen to add to his squad before the transfer window closes on 1 September.
What do Hull City still need in the transfer window?published at 11:19 BST 26 August
11:19 BST 26 August
Jonty Colman BBC Sport journalist
It has already been a busy summer for Hull City's recruitment team but the ambitious Tigers are still working on adding two new forwards in Mohamed Ali-Cho and Ilyas Ansah.
There has also been interest from the club in Real Betis winger Pablo Garcia, although that deal has taken longer than hoped after the La Liga side raised their valuation of the 20-year-old. Stoke City's Sorba Thomas is also a player of interest.
A goalkeeper, midfielder and right-back also could be on the agenda for Sergej Jakirovic's side in the final week of the window.
Ryan Frankish, Hull fan
Over the next week, if we bring in a left winger, one more striker - assuming the Ali-Cho deal also gets completed - a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder and a right-back to add depth and challenge Lewie Coyle for the starting spot, we will be in a strong position to compete.
What business do you think still needs to get done before 23:00 BST on 1 September?
Gossip: Hull agree deal for Union Berlin's Ansah published at 07:52 BST 26 August
07:52 BST 26 August
Hull City have agreed a deal with Union Berlin to sign 21-year-old Ilyas Ansah. The deal for the German forward will total more than 20m (£17.1m). (Fabrizio Romano), external
When is the EFL Cup third-round draw?published at 07:00 BST 26 August
07:00 BST 26 August
Jonty Colman BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
The third-round draw for the 2026-27 Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday, 26 August following the conclusion of Preston North End vs Everton.
Nine Premier League clubs taking part in European football join the 23 first-round winners from across the English Football League.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton and Crystal Palace will enter the competition at this stage, as the top eight Premier League clubs from the 2025-26 season plus Crystal Palace as Conference League winners.
It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports following the conclusion of the third round tie between Preston North End and Everton, kicking off at 20:00 BST.
Unlike the opening two rounds of the competition, the third round draw is not regionalised.
However, before the match at Deepdale there will be a pre-draw determining which of the Champions League and Europa League clubs will play at home or away in round three.
In order to avoid potential scheduling issues, the eight Champions League and Europa League clubs cannot be drawn against each other in round three.
When the draw takes place, the first eight fixtures decided are the ones involving clubs in the Champions League and Europa League. The remainder of the draw will be an open draw as usual.
Due to clashes with opening weeks of the Champions League and Europa League seasons, the third round will be played across two different weeks. They are the weeks commencing Monday, 7 and Monday, 14 September, 2026.
Stoke 1-1 Hull (4-5 on pens): What Jakirovic saidpublished at 23:25 BST 25 August
23:25 BST 25 August
Media caption,
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic, speaking to BBC Radio Humberside: "We had a few problems there after Man United game. Also, I used to give a chance to all the players that we have. I am speaking all the time, they are very important, and now we have a wide roster because some of them played very well today and also it's always good competition, so I will use this competition to give opportunities to players who will play less in the Premier League."
You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Birmingham City v Brentford" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Nottingham Forest match", for example.
