Two goals from two new signings gave Hull City their first win on their return to the Sky Bet Championship over Huddersfield Town.
Sam Clucas, signed from Chesterfield, gave the Tigers the lead five minutes from half time when he met Ahmed Elmohamady's cross but it took him two efforts to get it past Terriers 'keeper Alex Smithies. Chuba Akpom, on loan from Arsenal, doubled the lead in the second half as he composed himself and netted on his debut for the club.
Hull gave starts to four of their five new signings. Ryan Taylor joined captain Michael Dawson and Curtis Davies, the man with a point to prove to boss Steve Bruce. Isaac Hayden and Clucas made their bows in midfield with Tom Huddlestone and Elmohamady while Akpom partnered Nikica Jelavic up front.
Three new Huddersfield acquisitions were given their first start, with Jason Davidson, Dean Whitehead and Martin Crainie all starting with fellow signings Jordy Hiwula and Kyle Dempsey had to settle for places on the bench.
It took nearly ten minutes for the first chance to come, and it came somewhat surprisingly to the visitors as Harry Bunn fired over from a tight angle, unable to give the Terriers an early lead. There was nothing to separate the sides for the first 20 minutes though as neither Hull nor Huddersfield could find the break through.
There was a nervy moment for Terriers ‘keeper Smithies though as he fumbled Andy Robertson’s cross, but thankfully for the young Englishman there were no Hull players present to capitalise on his error. However the home side soon broke the deadlock five minutes from half time.
Deadlock Broken
Elmohamady sped down the wing, beating Joel Lynch and crossing in to Clucas at the back post. The former Chesterfield man had his initial shot saved by Smithies before tapping home the rebound. The Tigers went in at the break 1-0 up, with Steve Bruce satisfied with his team’s efforts.
Hull came out the blocks at full speed as their Arsenal loanee pairing linked up well as Hayden played in Akpom but his low shot went just wide of the goal. The Tigers were largely on top for most of the game, and never looked like surrendering their lead as they doubled it 20 minutes from the end.
In Control
Chuba Akpom controlled the ball well in the area as he kept it and composed himself before firing it past Smithies to seal the win for the Tigers. Hull held off Huddersfield and never looked like losing as the Tigers continue to re-adjust to life after the Premier League.
The main talking point from Hull point of view is that two new signings got on the scoresheet and opened their accounts on the opening day.
Huddersfield however make the shot jounrey back to West Yorkshire with a defeat but showed enough substance to keep Terriers fans content that they wil do well this season.