Analysis: Tigers show tenacity and talent

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 Semi 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. Sergej 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.