Hull City produced a stunning start to the 2026/27 Premier League season as two African defenders, Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy, struck to secure a memorable 2-0 victory over Manchester United.
The Tigers stunned United with two goals from set-piece situations, exposing the visitors’ defensive vulnerability and sending the home supporters into celebration.
Ajayi opened the scoring with a close-range right-footed finish following a corner. The Nigerian defender reacted quickest inside the penalty area to fire the ball into the high centre of the goal and give Hull City a deserved advantage.
Manchester United struggled to respond, with Hull maintaining their intensity and causing problems from dead-ball situations.
The hosts then doubled their lead through Senegalese defender Nobel Mendy. The 21-year-old rose to meet Regan Slater’s cross following another set-piece situation, directing a close-range header into the bottom-right corner.
Mendy’s finish sent Hull 2-0 ahead and left Manchester United facing an early-season nightmare.
The goals from Ajayi and Mendy capped a remarkable performance from Hull’s African defensive duo, who combined to punish United and give their side all three points on the opening weekend.
For Manchester United, the defeat represents a disappointing beginning to the new Premier League campaign, while Hull City have immediately announced themselves with one of the season’s biggest opening-day shocks.
