Hull Stun Manchester United as the Premier League Roars Back
Newly promoted Hull City opened the 2026-27 season by beating Manchester United 2-0, headlining a first matchweek that also saw Brentford rout Spurs and Chelsea edge a five-goal Monday at Fulham.
Promoted clubs are supposed to spend opening weekend surviving, not making statements. Hull City, back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017, ignored the script — and in doing so handed Manchester United the kind of defeat that sets the tone for a season of questions.
The shock at the MKM
Hull beat United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, with Semi Ajayi heading the Tigers ahead on 17 minutes and Nobel Mendy doubling the lead on 38, according to Sky Sports' match report. United manager Michael Carrick admitted his side were "bitterly disappointed with the result, but we won't let it knock us," while Bruno Fernandes cut closer to the bone: "Same mistakes as we did last season — every away game we give too much of the ball to them."
A miserable start for Spurs
Tottenham's weekend was arguably worse. Brentford won 3-0 with goals from Keane Lewis-Potter, Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode, a result described as an opening-day humiliation for big-spending Spurs. Elsewhere on the opening-weekend slate, Brighton crushed Aston Villa 4-0, Everton beat Crystal Palace 2-0, and Leeds won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest.
Late drama on Tyneside, and Chelsea hold on
Sunday's showpiece finished Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool, with Dominik Szoboszlai converting a very late penalty to rescue a point for the visitors, per NBC Sports. Monday night closed the round with Chelsea winning 3-2 at Craven Cottage, NBC Sports reporting goals from Palmer, Pedro and Rogers as the visitors withstood a Fulham fightback.
One matchweek proves little on its own. But United conceding the same old problems in week one, Spurs beaten soundly in London, and a promoted side already off the mark — the early storylines have arrived fully formed.