S’ Eagles Defender, Ajayi Inspires Hull City to Upset Man Utd 2-0 

Super Eagles defender, Semi Ajayi yesterday inspired newly-promoted Premier League side, Hull City to beat Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium. 

The Nigeria international was on the scoresheet as the Tigers who are returning to the English top tier for the first time in nine years secured a shock 2-0 victory over the Red Devils. 

Ajayi smashed home from close range after Manchester United failed to properly clear a corner kick, giving the Tigers the lead during the first half, while, debutant Nobel Mendy headed home Hull City’s second goal just a few minutes before the end of the opening half to put the hosts in a commanding position.

United came into the season high on confidence after their end to the 2025-26 campaign under Michael Carrick, where they finished third to qualify for the Champions League, and some new summer signings.

But it was Sergej Jakirovic’s Tigers – promoted through the play-offs last season – who impressed on their home turf with two defenders on the scoresheet.

Ajayi gave them the lead when he lashed in after Oli McBurnie’s initial effort was tipped on to the post by United keeper Senne Lammens.

And fellow defender and club-record signing Nobel Mendy scored on his debut when he headed in from Regan Slater’s free-kick to seal a superb success in their first Premier League game since a 7-1 home loss by Tottenham in May 2017.

Tigers keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis was not as busy as he might have expected, but made five saves, including one to stop a Bryan Mbeumo effort late on.

United came into the season high on confidence after their end to the 2025-26 campaign under Michael Carrick, where they finished third to qualify for the Champions League, and some new summer signings.

But it was Sergej Jakirovic’s Tigers – promoted through the play-offs last season – who impressed on their home turf with two defenders on the scoresheet.

Ajayi gave them the lead when he lashed in after Oli McBurnie’s initial effort was tipped on to the post by United keeper Senne Lammens.

And fellow defender and club-record signing Nobel Mendy scored on his debut when he headed in from Regan Slater’s free-kick to seal a superb success in their first Premier League game since a 7-1 home loss by Tottenham in May 2017.

Tigers keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis was not as busy as he might have expected, but made five saves, including one to stop a Bryan Mbeumo effort late on.

Since Hull were relegated from the Premier League in 2017, they have been down to League One and back before beating Middlesbrough 1-0 in the Championship play-off final to seal promotion last season.

Their team was a mix of EFL stalwarts and new signings – with Senegal defender Mendy, Greece goalkeeper Tzolakis and Swedish winger Elliot Stroud making their debuts.

That combination was best highlighted by the second goal in the 38th minute.

Slater, who joined the club initially on loan from Sheffield United in League One – and only cost £50,000 when he signed permanently – swung in a ball for Mendy – a £20m-plus purchase from Rayo Vallecano – to power in a header past Lammens.

That came after Nigeria international Ajayi – released by West Brom last summer after refusing to take a pay cut – had scored his side’s first Premier League goal since Sam Clucas in that humbling defeat by Spurs.

Jakirovic, the first manager in the Premier League from Bosnia-Herzegovina, will not let his Tigers get too carried away after being written off as relegation candidates by many on the eve of the campaign.

But this was a promising start, especially from a team hit by several injuries – and securing a first league win against United since 1974 in the old Second Division.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel has blamed defenders Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven for their sloppy contribution to Ajayi’s opener.

Analysing the opening goal at half-time, Schmeichel criticised the defending and lack of concentration from Dorgu and Heaven during the corner kick before Ajayi found the back of the net.

“This is sloppy defending, this is all about concentrating,” Schmeichel said on Premier League Productions, as monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com

“Look at Dorgu, Dorgu on the front post, he is not even looking at the guy taking the corner kick. At that exact moment, he loses his concentration, he does not have the ability to block the first ball.

“And of course, Ayden Heaven on the back post. That’s not how you defend, you have to be stronger.”

The former Manchester United goalkeeper also criticised the work rate and intensity of the Red Devils players during their underwhelming first-half display.

“You have to say that for most Manchester United players, it feels like they are not working out well,” he concluded

The victory saw Hull City make Premier League history as the first newly-promoted club to defeat Manchester United in the opening game of a Premier League campaign.