Hull City Defeat Man Utd as Premier League Opening Weekend Delivers Shocks
Premier League Opening Weekend: Match Highlights and Surprises
By Martyn Herman
Aug 22 (Reuters) - Hull City marked their return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence with a deserved 2-0 victory over Manchester United and fellow newcomers Ipswich Town also began impressively with a 2-1 home win against visiting Sunderland.
Tottenham Hotspur's lavish summer spending spree could not prevent a 3-0 drubbing at a superb Brentford.
Leeds United ruined Oliver Glasner's first game in charge of Nottingham Forest as they snatched a late 1-0 victory at the City Ground, while the Austrian's former club Crystal Palace were beaten 2-0 at Everton.
Unpredictable Start to the Season
Opening weekends of a new campaign are often unpredictable and after an unprecedented managerial merry-go-round this summer, with nine clubs starting with a new man in charge, it proved the case again with Hull producing the biggest upset.
There had been an air of optimism surrounding Michael Carrick's United side after last season's revival saw them finish third under their former midfielder, who replaced the sacked Ruben Amorim in January.
Instead they got a reality check.
Manager Reactions
"It's one game," Carrick told TNT Sports. "It's the first game of the season, so it's disappointing enough, and it hurts, of course it does.
"But it doesn't change direction all of a sudden, the whole direction the team's going in, or the football club. We'll stay calm, stay in the bubble and focus on next week."
Hull City’s Historic Win Over Manchester United
Hull were promoted via the playoffs and began the season tipped for an early return to the Championship.
However, they threatened United from the start and took the lead in the 17th minute when Semi Ajayi turned home a rebound after Oli McBurnie's effort from a corner had been parried by goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Hull's dominance at set-pieces paid off again seven minutes before halftime. Regan Slater curled a free kick into the area and Nobel Mendy rose high to power a header beyond Lammens to send the MKM Stadium into raptures.
It was Hull's first league victory over United in 52 years.
Hull Manager’s Perspective
"I spoke last week about the possibility that we can win," Hull's Croatian manager Sergej Jakirovic said. "This is maybe the key because I have to convince my players that we are capable of playing at this level.
"They showed it today on the pitch."
Manchester United’s Struggles
United, who had never lost to a newly promoted side in a season opener, struggled to respond. Marcus Rashford, making his first appearance for the club since December 2024, showed flashes of promise as a second-half substitute, but Carrick's team found it difficult to create clear chances with Bryan Mbeumo's effort in the 78th minute forcing a rare save by Hull keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Tottenham Humbled at Brentford
Tottenham’s Summer Spending
A last-day escape from relegation in May provoked Tottenham's owners to embark on a massive spending spree that will pass £300 million ($409.08 million) when they complete the signing of winger Savinho from Manchester City.
Four of the new signings began the game at Brentford, including the £92 million Sandro Tonali and defender Jan Paul van Hecke, but Brentford showed the value of a settled system and sensible recruitment as they outclassed the visitors.
Brentford’s Dominance
Brentford's Keane Lewis-Potter opened the scoring in the 12th minute after the Spurs defence was sliced apart and Vitaly Janelt doubled the lead with a tap-in before halftime.
Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi sent on £85 million signing Mateus Fernandes in the second half but things got worse as Michael Kayode quickly made it 3-0.
Brentford could have had several more goals and Igor Thiago struck the post with a penalty.
Impressive Starts for Promoted Teams
Ipswich Town’s Dream Return
Ipswich substitute Jack Clarke scored in the 90th minute to mark a dream return to the top flight for the Suffolk club.
Sunderland’s Response
Julio Enciso set up Emersonn for a tap-in after 24 minutes for the hosts but Sunderland, who finished seventh last season on their return to the Premier League, levelled before halftime when Nilson Angulo's curling free-kick went in off the crossbar.
Clarke's late winner meant that for only the fourth time in the Premier League two of the three promoted teams won their openers, as also happened last season.
Championship winners Coventry City lost 3-0 at Premier League champions Arsenal on Friday.
Other Notable Matches
Leeds United Spoil Glasner’s Debut
Glasner is Forest's fifth manager in less than a year but his reign began in disappointing fashion as Anton Stach struck for Leeds in the 88th minute.
Everton’s Opening Win
Everton won their opening game for the first time in five years as goals by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry either side of the interval saw off Pierre Sage's Palace.
Palace had looked lively early on and twice struck the woodwork through Eddie Nketiah and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Additional Information
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(Reporting by Martyn Herman in London; Additional reporting by Lori Ewing in Manchester; Editing by Ed Osmond and Ken Ferris)
