Semi Ajayi makes history as Hull City stun Manchester United on Premier League return

Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi scored Hull City’s first Premier League goal in more than eight years as the newly promoted side began their top-flight campaign with a memorable 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the MKM Stadium.

Ajayi reacted quickest in the 17th minute after Manchester United goalkeeper saved an effort from Oli McBurnie. The Nigeria international followed up to send the rebound into the net and give Hull an early lead.

Nobel Mendy doubled the advantage before half-time, completing a result that marked an emphatic return to the Premier League for the Tigers and delivered a major statement against one of English football’s biggest clubs.

For Ajayi, the opening goal had significance beyond putting Hull in front.

The strike ended the club’s lengthy wait for a Premier League goal. Hull’s previous goal in the competition had come on 21 May 2017, when Sam Clucas scored in a 7-1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur.

It was also Ajayi’s first Premier League goal since January 2021, when he found the net for West Bromwich Albion against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The defender acknowledged the importance of scoring so early in Hull’s return to the top flight, particularly after the hosts had created a number of chances before finally breaking through.

There was also an amusing element to the goal. McBurnie initially appeared to believe that he had scored after his shot was saved, celebrating before Ajayi’s follow-up had been confirmed as the decisive touch.

The striker eventually joined Ajayi in celebrating, while the Nigerian later admitted that he was also uncertain at first about who had got the final contact.

That confusion added to an already memorable moment for Ajayi, who helped Hull end their Premier League scoring drought and make the perfect start to their first top-flight season since 2016/17.

The result was made even more notable by the identity of the opposition. Before this match, Manchester United had never lost on the opening weekend of a Premier League season to a newly promoted side. Their record in those fixtures had been nine wins and three draws.

Hull also recorded their first league victory over United since 23 November 1974, when they beat them 2-0 in the old Second Division. More than 50 years later, Ajayi and Mendy helped the club repeat that scoreline and secure Hull’s first-ever Premier League win against Manchester United.

Despite the scale of the occasion, Ajayi said Hull must remain focused on their own progress rather than the attention generated by their return to the top flight.

The 32-year-old will hope his goal proves to be the start of a productive Premier League campaign. Hull’s next fixture is a trip to the bet365 Stadium on Tuesday, where they will face Stoke City in the League Cup.