Hull City claimed a second consecutive victory with a late 1-0 win at Coventry City, as Frank Lampard’s side lost again on their return to the Premier League.
Substitute Liam Millar scored the decisive goal in the 82nd minute, finishing a swift counter-attack to secure another valuable three points for the Tigers.
Hull’s travelling supporters were still celebrating their opening-day victory over Manchester United, in which Millar had scored against Carl Rushworth on the break, and began chanting: “we’re going to win the league”.
Millar had earlier missed an opportunity to put Hull ahead when he was released by Oliver McBurnie. The forward carried the ball towards the area from the right, cut inside Taiwo Awoniyi’s marker, but dragged his shot wide.
He made no mistake later in the match. Belloumi collected the ball just outside Coventry’s penalty area, turned and drove forward before selecting Millar on his left. The substitute then finished the move to settle a tense contest.
Coventry were unable to mark their first home Premier League match for 25 years with a win and will now have to wait longer for their first victory in the competition since returning to the top flight.
Lampard’s team had the clearer chances during the opening half, with new signing Awoniyi twice going close. In the 21st minute, Hull failed to clear a cross, allowing Yerenkyi to find Awoniyi, whose header went directly at goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Tzolakis then produced the best save of the first half to deny the striker. Tchaouna’s delivery dropped inside the area and struck Awoniyi’s thigh, sending the ball towards goal before the Hull goalkeeper reacted to keep it out.
Awoniyi had made an encouraging first Premier League start for the Sky Blues after scoring in Coventry’s 4-2 Carabao Cup victory over Plymouth in midweek. However, his efforts were not enough to earn his side a point.
Hull goalkeeper Carl Rushworth was also called upon early in the second half, using strong hands to repel Mendy’s powerful long-range effort in the 50th minute.
Coventry threatened again on the break seven minutes later, with Tchaouna sent forward by Rudoni, but they could not turn their pressure into a goal.
The defeat comes after Coventry were beaten by Champions Arsenal in the opening match of the season. That fixture had been described as a ‘relegation six-pointer’, despite coming at the start of the campaign, and represented a difficult introduction to top-flight football for Lampard’s side.
As Championship winners facing the play-off winners, Coventry had viewed the meeting with Hull as an important opportunity to claim at least a point. Instead, it was Hull who maintained their perfect start with a second successive victory.
Coventry’s 25-year wait for a Premier League win therefore continues.
