Liam Millar Strikes in 82nd Minute as Hull Beat Coventry

Liam Millar scored in the 82nd minute as Hull City defeated Coventry City at the CBS Arena, giving the promoted Tigers two wins from their first two Premier League matches. BBC Sport reported that Millar came off the bench to settle a tight contest after Hull had opened their season by beating Manchester United.

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Coventry had almost 70 percent of the possession but could not turn that control into a goal. Hull’s defensive group held firm, with Semi Ajayi central to a performance that restricted the hosts. Nobel Mendy and Lucas Gourna-Douath also contributed to Hull’s physical resistance, while striker Oli McBurnie occupied the Coventry defence.

The match remained scoreless deep into the second half, increasing the pressure on a Coventry team playing its first home Premier League fixture after 25 years outside the top flight. Millar then delivered the decisive moment with eight minutes of regulation time remaining. Coventry were unable to recover, leaving Hull second in the early league table.

Hull are the first promoted club in nine years to win their opening two Premier League games, according to BBC Sport. Huddersfield Town were the previous team to do so, beginning the 2017-18 season with victories over Crystal Palace and Newcastle United before ultimately avoiding relegation by four points. Only three teams have been relegated from the top flight after winning their first two matches, including Hull in 2016-17.

McBurnie said Hull did not feel they had anything to prove after earning promotion through last season’s Championship play-offs. The Scotland striker also noted that a draw would not have been a poor result as the second half progressed, because Coventry faced greater pressure to win at home. Hull instead took all three points when Millar intervened late.

Coventry have lost both matches since returning to the Premier League. Their opening 3-0 defeat came away to Arsenal, and the loss to another promoted side leaves them without a point before an away match against Manchester City. Manager Frank Lampard told BBC Sport that he sensed apprehension in his team’s passing and said his players would need to adjust quickly, while stressing that 36 league games remain.