RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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"We are trying to prove people wrong."
Hull City certainly managed to support their manager Sergej Jakirovic's desire as they shocked Manchester United - and many neutral observers - with a 2-0 win on their return to the Premier League.
The Tigers have been predicted by many to finish bottom, having only squeezed into the Premier League via last season's Championship play-offs.
After finishing third in the previous campaign, United were again being tipped to finish at least in the Champions League places.
But Jakirovic's side claimed a memorable first league win over United since a Second Division success in 1974 thanks to first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and fellow defender Nobel Mendy - one of 11 summer signings and with more to come.
After their first Premier League game in nine years - the last being a 7-1 defeat at home by Tottenham Hotspur in May 2017 - boss Jakirovic was asked about the club's doubters by BBC Sport.
"This is football. We are professionals," said the first person from Bosnia-Herzegovina to manage in the Premier League.
"We are trying to prove people wrong. I know there are 37 games to go but this is a good base for the future."
Nigeria centre-back Ajayi, released by West Brom just over a year ago, added: "It's just one game, I don't think we've shut everyone up yet.
"We are here to prove [something] to ourselves. We aren't worried about the pressure from outside. We have to keep putting in performances like that and maybe people will stop sleeping on us."
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Why have Hull been tipped to go down?
Hull City have played in League One since their last Premier League game [Getty Images]
It is common for the team promoted via the play-offs to be the favourites for relegation as Hull are.
But the manner of the Tigers' promotion made it even more stark as the numbers did not indicate an elite second-tier club.
Hull only squeezed into the play-offs on goal difference, overtaking Wrexham into sixth spot on the final day.
They then became the first team to finish sixth and win the play-offs since Blackpool in 2010.
Having beaten Millwall, they won the final 1-0 against Middlesbrough - whose place had only been confirmed three days before after semi-final opponents Southampton were expelled after being punished for spying.
They also gained promotion despite having the fifth-fewest shots and facing the third most shots in the division.
Hull's achievement was made even more remarkable by the fact they had only avoided relegation on the final day - and on goal difference - in 2025.
Five of the starting line-up against United played for the Tigers in that near-relegation season.
Boss Jakirovic spoke out this week after former Premier League players Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Wayne Bridge mocked Hull's chances of survival on a podcast.
"It's easy to say we will be 20th. If you are so convinced you can bet on it. Earn a lot of money or lose," he told BBC Radio Humberside .
"Every prediction is against us. Even for me it is normal. I don't like to see this disrespect of worth against us. Nobody gave us anything. We deserved everything on the pitch last season."
Can Tigers defy odds & silence critics?
The Tigers had a good mix of their EFL stalwarts and new faces in their opening game.
Only three of their 11 new signings started - including their two most expensive transfers, with Greece goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis and Senegal defender Mendy costing more than £20m.
Swedish winger Elliot Stroud was also given a start - with Australia defender Lucas Herrington and ex-Newcastle full-back Matt Targett also coming on for bows.
By contrast, the player who crossed the free-kick for Mendy to nod in was Regan Slater, who played for the club on loan in League One, and then cost just £50,000 to sign from Sheffield United.
The collective effort impressed BBC pundits and former England captains Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer.
"Hull's shape was really good," said ex-United striker Rooney. "They stuck to the job and worked hard which is what they're going to have to do to try and stay in this league.
"And obviously, it looked like they identified a weakness in United in putting balls into the box and utilised that really well.
"All they can do is try to take as many points at home as they can. It's a great start."
Shearer added: "Hull have been absolutely outstanding. They've been miles the better team."
Already the predictable talk of whether Hull could even break Derby's record low of 11 Premier League points in 2007-08 has died down.
And Jakirovic said this result might also make them more appealing to potential signings before the end of the transfer window.
"Even now, players we wanted, it might make their decision easier. We have to continue like this," he added.
"We had a lot of problems because we made four substitutions in our defensive line which is unusual. You have to play, you have to fight and maybe now we need more players."
The 32-year-old Ajayi, who netted the opener after Oli McBurnie's shot had been tipped on to the post, said: "Three points, a goal and a clean sheet - I can't ask for more.
"We've tried to block out the outside noise and focused on what's inside the building and what the gaffer is telling us.
"We came out the blocks firing, had a really good start. All in all a really good performance and something to build on for the rest of the season.
"We know what we have in the squad, it was about proving that to ourselves and everyone else.
"We have a lot of experience in the team and it's a good blend...
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