Hull City’s unbeaten start to life in the Premier League came to an end with a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
A pulsating opening saw Joe Willock and Lewis Hall score in the first seven minutes and the Magpies were unable to capitalise on another opportunity to inflict further misery on Hull before the break when Yoane Wissa’s penalty was saved.
Substitute Mohamed-Ali Cho pulled one back for the Tigers, but Newcastle managed to withstand a late flurry of attacks from the visitors to seal victory, which comes only five days after a bruising 4-1 defeat to Leeds.
With an increasing injury list to contend with, Matthias Jaissle made two switches from the Leeds defeat as Sean Steur and Willock both started.
Hull also opted for two changes, with Lucas Herrington and Sorba Thomas lining up, the latter of whom was making his first Premier League start.
Willock made an instant impact on his return to the starting 11, having a shot blocked, and moments later sent the Magpies ahead with a low finish past Konstantinos Tzolakis from Harvey Barnes’ ball.
Newcastle’s ruthless start continued as they doubled their lead only four minutes later, with Barnes once again the provider this time for Hall, who dispatched the ball into the bottom right corner.
Hull began to see more of the ball as Mohamed Belloumi piled pressure on Lukas Hornicek and snatched the ball from his feet, but the goalkeeper recovered.
Matt Crooks’ dangerous cross for Thomas was bundled behind for a corner, but the Magpies continued to threaten as Jacob Murphy dragged an effort wide.
The winger sent another shot past the upright and was in the thick of the action again, firing a teasing ball across the box towards Hall, who was unable to stab home.
Newcastle had the opportunity to extend their lead from the penalty spot before the break when Thomas made a grab at Murphy’s foot and VAR upheld the onfield decision, but Wissa’s spot-kick was pushed away by Tzolakis.
Thomas blasted an effort wide at the end of the half and Tzolakis was called into action after the restart to hold Sven Botman’s header from Hall’s cross.
Belloumi lifted the ball over the bar moments later and sent another effort over as Hull looked to strike.
The visitors pulled one back in the 67th minute when Belloumi threaded the ball in for Cho, who scored just four minutes after being introduced as his shot bounced off the post and into the net.
Hull continued to apply pressure when Hornicek parried away Belloumi’s effort and following a string of chances aimed towards the Newcastle goal, Tim Iroegbunam sliced a shot narrowly wide of the post.
The momentum was fully with Hull in the final stages as Lucas Gourna-Douath’s strike smashed into a crowded box and Joe Gelhardt chipped wide, but the Tynesiders held on.
