BREAKING: Super Eagles And Hull City Striker, Semi Ajayi Sinks Manchester United As Premier League Returns
Newly promoted Hull City made a dream return to the Premier League as Nigeria international Semi Ajayi scored in a stunning 2-0 win over Manchester United, giving the Tigers their first-ever top-flight win against the Old Trafford side at the MKM Stadium.
Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the first half when he reacted quickest to smash home a rebound after Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens had tipped Oli McBurnie’s effort onto the post. The goal was his first in the Premier League since January 2021, when he scored for West Bromwich Albion against Wolves.
The Tigers doubled their advantage in the 38th minute through fellow defender Nobel Mendy, who marked his debut with a powerful header from Regan Slater’s free-kick. The club-record signing arrived from Rayo Vallecano for more than £20m and made an immediate impact in his first appearance.
Hull returned to the Premier League after nine years away, having secured promotion with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in last season’s Championship play-off final.
Many had tipped Sergej Jakirovic’s side as relegation candidates, but they delivered a disciplined performance against a Manchester United team that finished third under Michael Carrick last season and strengthened during the summer.
Ajayi also impressed at the heart of Hull’s defence before his 63rd-minute substitution. The Super Eagles defender, who joined the Tigers after leaving West Brom last summer, combined his goal with a commanding display at the back to earn a player rating of nine.
Manchester United struggled to break down the hosts, although Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis made five saves, including a late stop to deny Bryan Mbeumo.
The win gave Hull their first league win over Manchester United since 1974, when the clubs met in the old Second Division. It also provided a remarkable response from a side whose previous Premier League outing ended in a 7-1 home defeat to Tottenham in May 2017.
