Coventry 0-1 Hull City - Miller's late effort continues Hull's perfect start
Liam Millar celebrating the winning goal for Hull City (photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Hull City's perfect start to their Premier League return continued on Saturday afternoon with a win over fellow new boys Coventry City.
Liam Millar gave Hull all three points late on, finishing calmly after a Coventry attack was deflected and quicky countered.
Coventry offered little in terms of attacking threat, with their best chance coming from Taiwo Awoniyi in the first half, but his effort was well stopped by Konstantinos Tzolakis in the Hull goal.
Story of the Match
Frank Lampard made three changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Arsenal on the opening evening of the season, with Jack Rudoni, Ephron Mason-Clark and Taiwo Awoniyi replacing Frank Onyeka, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ellis Simms.
As for Hull, head coach Sergej Jakirovic made just one change following his side's opening weekend victory against Manchester United, with Matt Crooks making way for Hidemasa Morita in the centre of midfield.
The pre-match scenes between Coventry City and Hull City (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
The pre-match scenes between Coventry City and Hull City (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
It was a bright start from the home side, with former Burnley winger Loum Tchaouna beating a few defenders before firing over the bar.
Not long after, Sky Blues skipper Matt Grimes whipped the ball into the penalty area, but Awoniyi could not get his header on target.
It was clear early on in the contest that the weather conditions would be a factor, with heavy rain coming down at some rate, and that became obvious for Coventry midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, who slipped while making a dangerous forward run.
On the 23rd minute, the visitors broke through on goal, but Sweden's Elliot Stroud was challenged by centre back Bobby Thomas, and Hull's appeals for a penalty went unnoticed.
An emotional moment in the 27th minute as both sets of supporters came to their feet and took part in a minute's applause in remembrance of Harry Chattaway, who recently passed away at the age of 27. Chattaway was a lifelong Coventry fan, and his memory was observed incredibly by everyone in attendance.
Heading towards half time, Coventry began piling on the pressure.
A testing ball into the box from Tchaouna found Awoniyi, who reacted quickly but was met even quicker by Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, who was able to block the Nigerian striker's effort.
That was the final chance of a first half which lacked enough quality to see a goal, but was hampered by the wet and windy conditions.
Hull made two changes at the break, with Lucas Gourna-Douath replacing Morita and Cody Drameh replacing skipper Lewie Coyle, who picked up a knock earlier in the half.
Early in the half, Hull had the best effort of the match so far, as centre half Nobel Mendy struck the ball with pace from 25 yards, making Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth work for the save.
On the hour mark, both sides made a double change, with Coventry replacing Mason-Clark and Tchaouna with Thomas-Asante and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, and Hull bringing on 18-year-old Lucas Herrington and Liam Millar for Mendy and Stroud.
Coventry City preparing a double change in the second half (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Coventry City preparing a double change in the second half (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Great work from Yirenkyi to pick the ball up on the 68th minute and work his way through multiple Hull midfielders, before being fouled by Oli McBurnie, who picks up a yellow card.
That was Yirenkyi's final action of the match, as he was replaced by Victor Torp, with Gustavo Hamer also entering the match, replacing Jack Rudoni.
On the 74th minute, Hull went closest to an opener, as substitute Millar found himself in space down the left wing, and after taking the ball around two Coventry defenders, his right-footed effort went just wide of Rushworth's post.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, Ethan Pinnock came on to make his Coventry debut, replacing Bobby Thomas at the back.
A cross from McBurnie found Mohamed Belloumi at the back post in the 79th minute, but the right winger's tame effort found the side netting.
In the 82nd minute, it was Hull who finally found the breakthrough.
A Coventry cross took a heavy deflection, and following a clearance from Belloumi, Liam Millar found himself through on goal, and he made no mistake, slotting home before wheeling away in celebration.
The Hull players celebrating Liam Millar's winner (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
The Hull players celebrating Liam Millar's winner (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Player of the Match - Mohamed Belloumi
Belloumi was a constant threat on the right wing for Hull, giving Coventry left back Jay Dasilva a lot to deal with any time the Tigers came forward.
A few chances missed in the first half were made up for in the second half when Belloumi launched the ball forward into the path of Liam Millar, whose goal was enough to give the visitors all three points.