Coventry City’s first Premier League home match since 2001 ended in disappointment as Liam Millar’s 82nd-minute goal gave Hull City a 1-0 victory at the CBS Arena on Saturday.
The Sky Blues had been expected to mark their long-awaited return to top-flight football on home soil with a win, particularly after finishing 22 points above Hull in the 2025-26 Championship campaign. Instead, Hull maintained their perfect start to the season with a second victory in two matches.
Coventry controlled much of the contest under Frank Lampard, but Hull defended resolutely and goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis was outstanding. The Greece international made a decisive first-half save from Taiwo Awoniyi at close range before producing three stops in total to secure another clean sheet.
Awoniyi had already seen an effort blocked by Nobel Mendy, while Loum Tchaouna fired over as Coventry made a lively start. The home side continued to pin Hull back, with Awoniyi heading wide from Matt Grimes’ cross, although the assistant referee later raised the offside flag.
At the other end, Elliot Stroud tested Carl Rushworth with a long-range effort that went narrowly wide. Tzolakis then denied Awoniyi’s downward header before making his most impressive intervention just before half-time.
A right-wing cross from Caleb Yirenkyi found Awoniyi inside the six-yard box, but Tzolakis stretched to his full height and tipped the striker’s effort wide.
Hull threatened after the interval when Mendy struck a powerful half-volley from distance, forcing Rushworth into a parry. Regan Slater also sent a low delivery across the Coventry area without finding a team-mate.
Coventry increased the pressure as the match progressed, but Hull had a major opportunity to take the lead with 15 minutes remaining. Millar broke clear after being played through, but chose not to pass to the unmarked Mohamed Belloumi and dragged his finish wide.
The error did not prove costly. Belloumi soon won possession inside his own half, showed impressive control and released Millar into space. The substitute raced forward before calmly placing the ball into the bottom-right corner to settle the match.
Hull continue to upset expectations
The result was another surprise from a Hull side who drew 0-0 with Coventry twice during the 2025-26 season. Coventry had also finished comfortably ahead of the Tigers, while Lampard had never lost in eight managerial meetings with Hull his longest unbeaten record against any opponent.
Hull were forced to withstand sustained pressure despite recording only 0.73 expected goals (xG), compared with Coventry’s 1.28. Their resilience continued a strong start under Sergej Jakirovic, who had warned before the match: “Money doesn’t play. I never see money scoring the goal,”
Tzolakis, who became Hull’s club-record signing before Mendy joined, followed his clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Manchester United with another assured performance. His latest shutout leaves Hull with maximum points from their opening two fixtures.
Only three teams have previously been relegated from the Premier League after winning their first two matches: Hull in 2016-17, Wolves in 2011-12 and West Brom in 2017-18. Jakirovic will therefore be aware that his team must maintain their intensity when they host Aston Villa next.
Lampard faces a very different challenge. Coventry have lost their opening two matches after defeat by Arsenal and must now prepare for the visit of Manchester City, with the manager needing to find an immediate response.
