Semi Ajayi inspires Hull City to 2-0 Premier League return win

Hull City opened their Premier League return with a 2-0 home victory over Manchester United, their first win in England’s top flight for nine years. The result gives the promoted side an immediate three-point start to the 2026 campaign.

Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi played the decisive role by putting Hull ahead after 17 minutes. He reacted quickest to a rebound inside the penalty area and finished from close range to give his team the lead.

Ajayi’s goal set the tone for Hull’s first Premier League match since their previous spell in the division ended. The defender described the beginning as amazing after the final whistle and expressed hope that the club can build a positive season from the result.

Hull have been widely tipped to struggle across the campaign, but the opening-day win provides an early response to those expectations. The promoted side also carried a strong run of results into the match, with four victories and one draw in their five listed recent fixtures. Those results included wins over Rizespor, Konyaspor, Middlesbrough and Millwall, followed by a goalless draw against Millwall.

Hull are listed 10th in the 2026 Premier League table, with the record currently showing 0 points from 0 matches and a 0-0 goal difference. The 2-0 success over Manchester United is therefore a significant start for a club returning to the division after a nine-year absence.

Their next league fixture is away to Coventry on August 29, 2026. Hull will take the confidence from Ajayi’s early contribution and the victory into that meeting as they continue their return to the Premier League.