Hull City

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We asked for your views on when you believe Hull City can start looking beyond just surviving in the Premier League after an impressive unbeaten run to start the season.

Here are some of your comments:

Dominic: Focus needs to be on a confident top-half finish if we are clear of being relegation fodder after Christmas. This will attract even bigger signings next year for a push for European football.

Cush: Please note that it's not Hull City fans writing articles about how much they can achieve this season. We jokingly sing about winning the league and we enjoyed mauling Manchester United, but we're all pretty clear that finishing above the bottom three is the only aim.

John: It's not as though you can say they haven't played anyone yet. Ask Manchester United and Chelsea.

Chris: Chelsea and Aston Villa both had excellent chances to score and - possibly - beat Hull City. The big positive for me was against Chelsea was that Hull City had the chances to kill the game, and with some more coaching and clinical finishing those chances will be taken. That is progress. Add this progress to the undeniable strength of the team, their spirit and on and off-pitch leadership, and you have a recipe to succeed. Success comes in many forms; we have already seen supporters of the teams we played being positive about Hull. Now let's see pundits give Hull City the respect they deserve.

Steve: I'm a long-standing Hull City supporter and I think we've got a long, long way to go this season to start thinking beyond Premier League survival. It won't be long before coaches in this league suss out our style of play and come up with ways to counter it. Against Villa, we were very lucky and on any other day would have shipped at least three goals. Yes, it's a fantastic start and yes, we do have a superb team spirit. I expect us to finish in the bottom six but not the bottom three.

Hull City left-back Ryan Giles says the group can take a lot of confidence from their strong start to the Premier League season.

Speaking after Saturday's 2-2 draw at Chelsea, which continued the Tigers' unbeaten start to the Premier League season, Giles told BBC Radio Humberside: "I feel like if anybody would have offered us this position right now you'd probably snap their hand off - I certainly would. I'm really happy for everybody.

"There are a lot of players in the team that were with us last year so I'm proud of the lads for how we've all stepped up to the occasion and to the plate.

"We've got a big new squad and there are new players that have added to us and there are things that they can help us with as well, so you bring it all together and hopefully we can be a serious outfit this year.

"It's still early days but, as of now, I'm really happy and I think we can take a lot of confidence from this. We have proven we can go toe to toe against the best sides in the league."

Hit play below to hear more from Giles or listen on BBC Sounds here

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Hull City fan Ryan Frankish believes "the sky is the limit" for the Tigers after they drew 2-2 away at big-spending Chelsea.

"People really need to take this Hull City team seriously," said Frankish. "We have got a recipe that you just cannot beat in football, and that's a team spirit and a positive dressing room.

"You just cannot fight the mentality in this dressing room.

"It is just showing that is the recipe in football to succeed and we've got that. So for Hull City, the sky is the limit."

Sergej Jakirovic's side are unbeaten in the league, sit third in the table and have overcome a challenging first four fixtures that pitted the newcomers against Champions League sides Manchester United and Aston Villa, as well as the Blues.

Their other game was against fellow promoted side Coventry away from home, who they dispatched 1-0.

With eight points on the board from a possible 12, when can Hull fans start to set their ambitions beyond Premier League survival? Just where can the Tigers finish this season?

Get in touch with your views here

And have a listen to Ryan's full assessment of Hull's game against Chelsea

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Hull City.

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans

Robin: Really poor defensive display again, with basic errors from Hato and Gusto, both of whom need to be dropped. Martinez was all over the place for the second goal as well. Five points dropped from winning positions and it's only gameweek four. It's going to be a long season.

Chris: We are a bizarre team - look absolutely incredible going forward but defensively we are a shambles. None of the defenders seem capable of defending, never make a tackle and are always the last to react. I feel for Martinez as he has often done his bit but gets no help from any defenders. We deserve to concede every game. Woeful.

Peter: This is the Premier League not a Saturday afternoon kickaround at the local park. Chelsea were unprofessional, lackadaisical, wasteful and lucky to draw as Hull should have scored four. As a lifelong Chelsea fan, I find it disappointing that we threw away two valuable points through undisciplined defensive naivety. We must play more cohesively and with intelligence if we are to prosper at this level.

James: This season is going to be fun! Goalscoring is not going to be an issue but keeping them out clearly is!

Hull fans

Gary: Excellent. After going behind, we didn't wilt and turned it around. Once Chelsea equalised we didn't sit in and defend and had good chances to win it. Full of belief and proving a lot of skeptics wrong.

Chris: I can recall the last time the Tigers drew 2-2 at Chelsea: March 1966 in the FA Cup sixth round. We were leading the Third Division at the time, with Chelsea fourth in the First Division. Ken Wagstaff scored twice in the last 10 minutes to make Tigers history. I was only 10, but I was there at Boothferry Park for the replay. Alas, logic returned and the Blues won 3-1. The current side are writing their own history. UTT.

Andy: I and many other City fans have to now start believing anything is possible. The team spirit is not something you can buy and we lead the way. Commentators and pundits need to get off their high horses sometimes and treat us like the other 19 teams in the Premier League. The shock factor is now in the past.

Ray: Can't understand why the match reports in all types of media always focus on how poor the opposition play, yet very little credit is given to the Tigers. They may not have the most expensive squad but what they do have is determination and a collective approach to each game - every player knows what they have to do. Then there's the coaching staff led by Sergej Jakirovic - current Premier League manager of the month. He was unknown when he arrived in Hull and he's delivered way beyond anyone's expectations. So, can we have a bit more credit for the Tigers and less about the opposition's failings?

John Bennett
BBC Final Score reporter at Stamford Bridge

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Regan Slater told me pre-match that togetherness and getting the basics right were the key factors to Hull City getting something out of a game against free-scoring Chelsea.

The Tigers stalwart was spot on and, along with his team-mates, he certainly delivered. I'm sure I wasn't the only one in the press box thinking that after the Morgan Rogers's early goal, it would be a comfortable home win on Saturday.

But, this Hull side under Sergei Jakirovic is made of stronger stuff. Yes defensive mistakes helped get them back into the game, but it was also their work-rate and confidence that put a vulnerable Chelsea back-line under pressure. Then, after Mohamed Belloumi's two goals, Hull City didn't sit back and constantly looked dangerous on the break, even after Joao Pedro's equaliser.

Despite all the new signings, eight of the starting XI on Saturday were Hull players last season and that core of the promoted team seems vital when it comes to the amazing team spirit and togetherness.

But the new players, many who came off the bench at Stamford Bridge, are adding a new dimension too.

Slater called Jakirovic "class" after the game and the Hull City manager is certainly getting everything right at the moment, with this mix of new and longer serving players, when it comes to defying the Premier League odds.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Chelsea's performance

What did you make of Hull City's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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For a time, Hull City supporters dared to dream, chanting "we are going to win the league" as their side threatened a famous win.

At one stage, the visitors were on course to go top of the Premier League.

However, hopes of a first-ever away win at Chelsea were ultimately denied by Joao Pedro's second-half equaliser.

Despite Chelsea enjoying the majority of possession in and around Hull's penalty area, it was the Tigers who created the clearer opportunities. Substitutes Mohamed-Ali Cho and, later, Lucas Herrington came closest to finding a winner.

It has been a remarkable start for the unbeaten Tigers, who have now gone four Premier League matches without defeat. Having already beaten Manchester United and Coventry, they can now add draws against Chelsea and Aston Villa to an impressive early-season record.

Many pundits had tipped Hull for an immediate return to the Championship before a ball had been kicked, making their start to the campaign all the more notable.

The only concern for the visitors was the injury suffered by in-form defender Nobel Mendy, who came off worse in a clash of heads with Joao Pedro shortly before Chelsea's equaliser.

Nevertheless, Hull will take encouragement from not only competing at Stamford Bridge but arguably proving the better side against opponents with considerably greater resources.

Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic told BBC Match of the Day: "I feel good. We have to be happy. It's a huge result for us.

"We had 2-1 at half-time and we had a 100% chance with McBurnie but Martinez's save was excellent. We have to control play better in the box because we can stop this [Chelsea goal]. We had an excellent chance for Cho - Martinez saved again. Player of the match.

"We can be very happy. We took a point in a very demanding match.

"Eight points against very difficult opponents. We have to continue like this."

On Nobel Mendy's head injury: "He went to hospital for a scan. He's dizzy and disorientated. We'll see. It's a concussion 100%."

Did you know?

• Hull City have picked up eight points from their first four Premier League games this season (W2 D2), the only newly promoted sides to gain more points in their first four matches to start a campaign were Nottingham Forest in 1994-95 and Bolton Wanderers in 2001-02 (both 10).

• Hull City's Mohamed Belloumi became the fifth Algerian to score a double in the Premier League and the first since Riyad Mahrez for Man City against Spurs in January 2023.

Hear more from Jakirovic on BBC Sounds

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest

• Bournemouth v Brentford

• Chelsea v Hull City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town

• Liverpool v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Everton (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sunderland v Arsenal (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Hull City" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Everton match", for example.

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

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New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

I have happy memories of this fixture because one of my three goals for Chelsea came against Hull City in the FA Cup.

Hull haven't conceded yet and they are the team I have been most wrong about so far this season.

With every passing week, they are putting more egg on my face but it can't keep happening, can it?

It probably can, but I am still going for Chelsea to win this. The Tigers have defended brilliantly so far, but they are not going to keep out Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro.

Hull will defend ferociously but, as Chelsea showed in the Carabao Cup against Leeds on Wednesday, they have enough quality to play through teams who sit in; and, if they score first, then Hull will have to open up - that's my theory anyway.

The only thing I was unsure about was whether Hull would score too. Chelsea still seem to be a bit chaotic with the way they defend, and they have leaked a few goals, but I have given them a clean sheet. They need one.

Sutton's prediction: 3-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Chelsea have hosted Hull City 18 times in the league without ever losing, a club record for both sides.

However, the unbeaten visitors currently sit one place above Chelsea, who could go five home league games without a win against newly promoted opposition for the first time since 1948.

Potent but porous

With 26 goals in their five matches, Chelsea have been anything but dull – not that manager Xabi Alonso would mind that. "We want to have better balance, to be more solid, to be able to win in a boring game as well," he reflected after his side came from 2-0 down in midweek to beat Leeds 6-3 in the Carabao Cup third round.

That result was indicative of Chelsea's breathless start to the season, including needing three and four goals respectively to beat Fulham and Brighton. The glut of goals scored – 16 so far by Chelsea players – has masked defensive deficiencies.

Chelsea are conceding an average of two goals per game this season, with only Ipswich facing more shots on target in the Premier League than Chelsea's 21.

The lack of clean sheets is a longer-term issue; the Blues have gone 19 league matches without one, the joint-third longest run in the club's history.

Hull yet to be breached

Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic joked on Thursday that the only way to stop Chelsea's free-flowing forwards is "to kick them".

This fixture certainly promises to be the sternest test yet for a promoted side who could become the first to start a Premier League season with four consecutive clean sheets.

The Tigers have only faced nine shots on target – the fifth fewest in the division – and are one of just two teams, along with Leeds, yet to make an error leading to a shot on target against them.

While a much-changed side were knocked out of the EFL Cup by Sunderland in midweek, Hull's defensive resolve has given them the platform to earn seven points from their opening three league matches.

Only three clubs in Premier League history have been relegated after making a similar start (latterly Leeds in 2022-23) – and the five other promoted sides to reach seven points at such an early stage all stayed up.

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has been named Premier League manager of the month for August.

The Tigers remain unbeaten in the league after the opening three games of the season and sit third in the table with seven points.

They are also the only team yet to concede a goal in the top flight.

"I'm very happy and very proud," said Jakirovic to BBC Radio Humberside. "Being in company with all these great names and coaches is a great achievement for me.

"To win this is like a dream - somebody wake me up!

"I am very happy for all the people at the club, especially our players because without them this wouldn't be possible. This is also their award because they have shown everything on the pitch."

Jakirovic also joked that he doesn't believe in superstitions as it is often jested that the award carries a curse, which causes the winning manager's team to lose their next match.

"Two years ago, I got this award in August in Croatia and then they fired me in September!" he added. "So I have already broken this curse.

"I'm just looking forward to the next game of football. I don't care about superstitions."

The 49-year-old beat Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, Chelsea's Xabi Alonso and Manchester City's Enzo Maresca to the award.

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Japanese midfielder Hidemasa Morita and defender Charlie Hughes will be out for the match on Saturday. Right-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy and defender Paddy McNair will be available.

• On his team bouncing back from the League Cup defeat to Sunderland: "Everything is fine, the atmosphere is good. Defeats will be defeats, it will be many, many more defeats. It is normal. We want to play good, perform good and try to take some points in the next two games."

• Jakirovic said he does not have "any doubt" about new signing Sorba Thomas, who is "sharp and has speed". Jakirovic says Thomas "suits the team", adding: "He's very good in delivery and end product is good. And also very good in set pieces".

• On positive starts and pressure: "Every game is a new challenge and we will try to play even better than the last three rounds. I'm expecting in every game that we grow and it's great experience for us now that we have three games behind us".

• Jakirovic things his side can still play better and improve, insisting they feel no pressure as they have seven points and have not conceded. He said: "Imagine we had one or zero points, then it will be pressure. This excellent confidence, we have to continue like this so we compete and have our chances. Every game you have a chance."

• On the system his side will play against Chelsea: "Which system we will play depends on our profile, what we have available and then we will see. Chelsea are playing mostly in the low block 5-4-1. They can play out of possession as well because they are quick on the counter attack so it will be interesting."

• On Chelsea: "I watched Chelsea v Leeds yesterday, it is unbelievable how they are very strong, especially their offensive side. Anyone can decide every game and we have to be even more solid there, aggressive and compact. We will be under pressure, this is 100% because they are a very good team with an excellent coach. It is a great challenge ahead of us and we will try to play good. For me, they will be in the top four 100% because they have this quality."

Hear more from Jakirovic, speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, above or on BBC Sounds here

Listen to full match commentary of Chelsea v Hull City on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 and BBC Sounds on Saturday

Got a question about Hull City? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

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The Premier League has announced it will stage seven matches on Boxing Day this year after releasing its festive schedule.

Four fixtures will be staged at 15:00 GMT, with further matches played at 12:30, 17:30 and 20:00.

The fixture programme for 26 December, which falls on a Saturday in 2026, is considerably bigger than last year, when one game was held.

Three matches will be played on Sunday, 27 December, while three further rounds of games will be held over a period up to Thursday, 7 January.

A round of evening midweek fixtures will staged on 29-30 December, while Leeds will host Everton (20:00) for the only match on New Year's Day.

The remainder of that round will be held over the weekend of 2-3 January, with the fourth round of games spread across the evenings of 5-7 January.

The Premier League has brought forward the announcement of fixture scheduling over the Christmas and New Year period after consultation with both broadcast partners and the Football Supporters' Association and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.

Television scheduling for Premier League fixtures has been announced up to Monday, 2 November, with broadcast selections for the remaining games in November and December to be announced in the weeks commencing 21 September and 19 October respectively.

The Premier League has guaranteed clubs at least a 60-hour break between fixtures over the festive period to address the concerns over a congested festive schedule that follows recent expansions of the European and international calendars.

Premier League Christmas and New Year schedule

Saturday, 26 December

12:30 Aston Villa v Leeds

15:00 Everton v Sunderland

15:00 Fulham v Brighton

15:00 Ipswich v Brentford

15:00 Spurs v AFC Bournemouth

17:30 Hull v Liverpool

20:00 Newcastle v Manchester City

Sunday, 27 December

14:00 Coventry v Chelsea

16:30 Manchester Utd v Nottingham Forest

19:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Tuesday, 29 December

19:30 Hull v Leeds

19:30 Spurs v Brighton

20:15 Everton v Manchester City

Wednesday, 30 December

19:30 Coventry v Brentford

19:30 Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Fulham v Arsenal

19:30 Manchester United v Sunderland

19:30 Newcastle v Nottingham Forest

20:15 Aston Villa v Liverpool

20:15 Ipswich v Chelsea

Friday, 1 January

20:00 Leeds v Everton

Saturday, 2 January

12:30 Brighton v Manchester United

15:00 Arsenal v Ipswich

15:00 Brentford v Crystal Palace

15:00 Liverpool v Coventry

15:00 Nottingham Forest v Fulham

15:00 Sunderland v Hull

17:30 AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa

Sunday, 3 January

14:00 Chelsea v Newcastle

16:30 Manchester City v Spurs

Tuesday, 5 January

19:30 Arsenal v Brentford

19:30 Brighton v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Everton v Aston Villa

19:30 Nottingham Forest v Hull

20:15 Sunderland v Liverpool

Wednesday, 6 January

19:30 Crystal Palace v Chelsea

19:30 Fulham v Spurs

19:30 Ipswich v Coventry

20:15 Leeds v Manchester City

Thursday, 7 January

20:00 Manchester United v Newcastle

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Hull City have mutually agreed to terminate David Akintola's contract to facilitate his permanent move to Cypriot side Omonoia Nicosia.

The 30-year-old winger, who signed a two-year deal in August 2025, was not included in Sergej Jakirovic's 25-man Premier League squad for this season despite playing an important role in sealing promotion last term.

Akintola made 20 Championship appearances in 2025-26, scoring one goal and registering two assists, while also featuring in the FA Cup.

A club statement read: "We would like to thank him for his efforts throughout his time at the MKM Stadium and we wish him well for the future."

At 22-years-old, Mohamed-Ali Cho has had quite the journey to the Premier League.

The young forward has already played senior football in Ligue 1, La Liga and now the top flight of English football is in his sights.

After joining the Humberside-based club this summer for an undisclosed fee from Nice, the France under-21s international made his first start under boss Sergej Jakirovic in the 1-0 loss to Sunderland.

Although Cho's strong south London accent shines through when he spoke to Radio Humberside, he has French roots running through his body.

"I was born in France and grew up in London. I grew up at Elephant and Castle. You can tell by my accent. I feel like I have got both sides, English and French," he explained.

"I have grown up quite differently compared to the regular. It is different, but I am happy it is different."

After representing Chantilly and Paris St-Germain at youth level, Cho moved back to England to play for Everton's academy for four years.

After his spell on Merseyside, Cho opted for a move back to France to join Angers in 2020, a move which helped kick-start his career.

He made his professional debut for Angers aged 16 and became the club's youngest scorer.

Since then, Cho has gained experience of playing in European competitions, having featured 13 times in the Europa League for Nice and in the Champions League for Spanish side Real Sociedad.

However, now he eagerly awaits his first start in the Premier League.

"For me, it is the best league in the world, so playing in this league is going to be an amazing experience for me and a really good challenge. Happy to help the team as much as I can."

Listen to more from Mohamed-Ali Cho by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here