Hull continued their dream start to life in the Premier League as substitute Liam Millar snatched a 1-0 win away to Coventry.
Millar slotted home to cap a swift counter-attack with eight minutes left as last season’s Championship play-off winners beat the side promoted as champions, making it two wins from two for Sergej Jakirovic’s men after last weekend’s victory over Manchester United.
It was a sucker punch for Coventry, who had dominated the game for long periods but struggled to turn that into clear chances as the first Premier League match to be played at the CBS Arena, and the first top-flight meeting between these clubs, ended in defeat for the hosts.
Coventry’s best chance was almost accidental, with Taiwo Awoniyi bringing a good save out of Konstantinos Tzolakis when the ball struck him at the back post late in the first half.
Nobel Mendy, one of Hull’s goalscoring heroes last weekend, went close with a vicious half-volley early in the first half.
Coventry started much the brighter of the two teams as they hogged the ball and kept Hull pegged back, but chances were at a premium.
Their first clear sight of goal did not come until the 22nd minute, but there was no power in Awoniyi’s header as he met Caleb Yirenkyi’s clipped cross.
Hull, barely seen as an attacking force up to that point, appealed for a penalty moments later when Elliot Stroud went to ground claiming a push from Bobby Thomas but there was little to it and referee Josh Smith waved play on.
Coventry were a whisker away from leading seven minutes before the break. Loum Tchaouna’s dangerous cross was deflected by Mendy, striking Awoniyi at the back post and forcing Tzolakis into a smart save low to his right. Had the striker made intentional contact the goalkeeper would have had little chance.
Mendy almost added to his opening-day goal with a superb strike five minutes into the second half. He was 30 yards out but the power in his half-volley meant it took two attempts for Carl Rushworth to gather the ball.
The game finally came to life as Coventry pushed forward in response, but as they did so they became increasingly stretched at the back.
There was a warning sign when Oli McBurnie swept the ball forward into Millar’s path only for the Canadian to pull his shot wide of the target after cutting inside.
But Coventry did not heed the warning and barely five minutes later Mohamed Belloumi won the ball from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and again found the run of Millar, who this time made no mistake to score his first Premier League goal.
There was a late chance for Jay Dasilva to equalise for the hosts but his headed effort, as the game moved into stoppage time, was their first attempt on target in the second half.
