Hull City

Fulham "deserved the win" on Saturday, says Hull City defender Semi Ajayi.

The Tigers suffered their second defeat of the season in a 1-0 loss at Craven Cottage, and Ajayi believes his team have learned how easy it is to "get punished" if you aren't at the top of your game in the Premier League.

"We just weren't good enough and they were better, they absolutely deserved the win and we need to put it right for the games coming forward," Ajayi told BBC Radio Humberside.

"I can't really put my finger on it. It wasn't a matter of desire. We know how important it was and we came here for the three points, but we were just second to everything.

"The gaffer tried to change things at half-time and put a rocket up us, but it didn't have the desired effect We still weren't really at the level in the second half and they deserved the win.

"We definitely were surprised with the levels we were at and I think it's a learning curve for us. Now this league has shown us if you're even 5% off it, you'll get punished, and we need to make sure this never happens again."

Hear Ajayi's full reaction above or on BBC Sounds here

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

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

Rohan: A good all-round performance. It really could have been three or four goals but what matters now is the three points. If we keep playing like that, but being more clinical, we could have a chance at a successful season.

Campbell: After watching the game, it was certainly a deserved win, but chances being missed by Josh King and Gonzalo Garcia still leave some room for improvement and I fear that if we fail to make these kinds of chances count, other teams will.

Andrew: Totally dominating performance. Hull were not effective in any area of the game. But if Fulham want to win more games, they have to be more clinical in front of goal, otherwise it's going to be a long season.

Quinn: A big relief. The team are fighting, that's all we can really ask. Alvaro Arbeloa is also learning - if he did what he was doing now at the beginning of the season, I believe we would be in a different position. Water under the bridge. Success will undoubtedly be avoiding relegation, so a long slog. Keep going, we're behind you.

Hull City fans

David: Hull, in all honesty, were as bad as a team can get. Let's hope it's a one-off. The manager, as well as the team, got it wrong today, but whatever format you play, it doesn't excuse not clearing your lines time and again.

Owen: Definitely below par. Gave the ball away too many times. We know they can do better and hopefully they will regroup for the game against Brentford.

Billy: I think we have made an amazing start to the season, but that was absolutely unacceptable. Every player from back to front was second best. The midfield was completely outplayed and Oli McBurnie is just so far off it. Much-needed improvement next week is needed. Even Mohamed Belloumi was off it - I can't remember a point where he threatened.

Bear: If it was a boxing match, it would have been stopped at half-time. So, so poor from Hull. Well played Fulham, we dust ourselves down and go again.

Tim Abraham
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

This was an afternoon that is unlikely to linger long in the minds of the Hull fans venturing back on the East Coast Main Line or via the M1.

The Tigers failed to register a single shot on target during the entire contest.

Not one.

It was the first time they failed to do so in a Premier League game since they played Crystal Palace in May 2017.

They spent most of the game attempting to win the ball back, but Fulham's backline proved able to handle things whenever the Tigers went direct.

Chances were few and far between as a result.

Coach Sergej Jakirovic's face was etched with thunder when Mohamed Belloumi lifted a late opportunity from a free-kick high into the stands.

At least his side managed to hang on, always within touching distance, in a game when really the home side should have been out of sight.

That might bode well for Hull in the long run, even if Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno collected the easiest clean-sheet bonus of his career.

The worry for Jakirovic would be that this insipid performance seeps into their next few games.

Hull will not want the honeymoon period of their top-flight return to be over just yet.

Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It's easy to analyse this game; we were out of everything. Fulham were much better than us in many terms, in and out of possession, first and second balls, duels. It was men against boys. We didn't show anything today. But we cannot change anything now.

"The performances of Fulham have been good; they should have more points. We knew it would be tough today. We were completely out of it today.

"It was very frustrating, maybe we had some situations around the box but made wrong decisions. They were much more aggressive than us and could have scored more."

On the injury sustained by Robinio Vaz: "He got a kick on the Achilles, it's very bad. He will have a scan to see the damage."

Did you know?

• Hull completed just 139 passes against Fulham, their lowest in a Premier League match since February 2010 (134 against Blackburn Rovers).

• Having won their first two Premier League games this season, Hull are now winless in their last five (D3 L2).

Listen to more from Jakirovic below or on BBC Sounds here

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

Have your say on Fulham'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.

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

• Everton v Chelsea (12:30)

• Brentford v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Fulham v Hull City

• Manchester City v Ipswich Town - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Newcastle United v Aston Villa (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

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 Brentford v Liverpool" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Ipswich 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

Image source, BBC Sport

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

This feels like a massive game for Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa, who is still waiting for his first league win.

They had it in the bag against Ipswich last week so losing that game so late on was just desperate for them.

I've watched Fulham a couple of times this season, against Liverpool and Manchester United, and they played well both times without getting over the line.

After this game, they go to Coventry next. I know the Cottagers are not a club known for going through managers but if they lose this then the pressure will really be on Arbeloa.

Hull, in contrast, will be relishing this after the start they have made.

Their identity is as a team who will have a real go at you and their approach is a bit like a bull in a china shop.

It has been working pretty well so far and I think they will fancy their chances against a Fulham side who might be lacking a bit of belief.

Despite that, I am going to go with Fulham here. I don't think their results have really reflected their performances so far, but that might change on Saturday.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's match (15:00 BST), the 100th meeting between Fulham and Hull City.

Pressure building on Arbeloa

Fulham's collapse at Ipswich Town, where they led until the 88th minute but lost 2-1, means the Cottagers remain without a league victory under new boss Alvaro Arbeloa. Scrutiny of the Spaniard will continue to grow unless he wins this game, the second of three consecutive matches against newly promoted opposition.

Arbeloa says his side need to change their mentality after scoring, complaining that at Portman Road, and to some extent against Manchester United a week earlier, the Londoners became "very direct" after going in front, surrendering possession cheaply and inviting pressure.

Only Bournemouth have dropped more points from winning positions in the current campaign than Fulham, who have let eight points slip, just three fewer than across the whole of last season. The Whites are also conceding late goals at an alarming rate, having shipped a league-high five from the 75th minute onwards.

Arbeloa's side have probably played better than their results suggest, but performances alone will not ease the pressure on the former Real Madrid head coach. Fulham are in danger of failing to win any of their opening seven top-flight games for the first time since 1951, when they went on to finish bottom.

Belloumi making his mark

Hull City claimed their first Premier League win by beating Fulham in 2008 and have a good record in this fixture, losing just one of six meetings with the Cottagers in the competition.

The Tigers marked their return to the top flight by winning their opening two league games this season and keeping clean sheets in their first three matches. However, their defence has looked more vulnerable since then, conceding twice in each of their past three outings. The absence of record signing Nobel Mendy, who is ruled out with a groin injury, could further weaken their backline.

Hull nevertheless head to west London in good spirits after coming from 2-1 down to earn a point against Everton last weekend, courtesy of an equaliser from substitute Mohamed Belloumi.

The newly promoted side spent £146m this summer on 18 signings in an attempt to bridge the gulf in quality, but Algeria international Belloumi, now in his third season at the club, has coped impressively with the step up.

The 24-year-old already has three goals and two assists, and is averaging a Premier League goal involvement every 85 minutes. That is the best rate by any Hull player to have made at least five appearances in the competition.

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

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

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jakirovic provided an update on team news: "We had a good recovery and a short week for us, but now they're all ready for Saturday. We have good options, but also with [Hidemasa] Morita, [Matt] Targett, Elliot [Matazo], [Brooke] Norton-Cuffy, we have a few good options."

• The Tigers boss confirmed it was "normal" for Mohamed Belloumi to feel "fatigue" after returning from international duty, adding: "If a player approached you and said, 'Boss, I am not feeling good, I am a little bit exhausted,' this is normal because we have other options. We have [Joe] Gelhardt, who scored the goal [against Everton], which is perfect when you have a lot of quality in that position. Mo came in and also scored, which is great for the team."

• Although Gelhardt started and scored in the Everton game, the 24-year-old has a "lack of rhythm" due to missing pre-season with injury: "He delivered 15 goals last season, so we know what he is capable of. He is one more option. I am glad this quality in this position."

• Jakirovic insisted Hull's away visit to Fulham will be a "difficult game" and that Alvaro Arbeloa's side have been "unlucky with some games" this campaign.

• On Arbeloa being under pressure with the Spaniard's side sitting bottom of the table: "Every head coach is under pressure. We have to play a good game there and have good energy. I will not say we are favourites, we can play 50-50 games. Also, we have our qualities. We have our tactical plan, so we will try to use this."

• Scotland international Oli McBurnie has featured in six games for the Tigers this season, but is yet to score. However, the Hull boss believes a "goal will come" for the 30-year-old: "He is working a lot for the team for sure. It is very important for me that he is there and that we create the chance for him. If we create a chance for him, then he will score the goal."

Listen to more from Jakirovic, speaking to BBC Radio Humberside's James Hoggarth, above or or BBC Sounds here

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Imagine a world where Manchester City had not used "sham contracts" to build a team capable of winning three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three EFL Cups.

If City were the winners, then there had to be losers - and not just those teams who finished runners-up or lost cup finals.

The potential impact runs much deeper and includes missed Champions League qualification, relegation and Premier League prize money.

While parachute payments provide something of a cushion, relegation from the Premier League is still a considerable financial hit.

Could the teams who finished in 18th place, one spot from safety, argue that they might have stayed up but for City?

There are a couple of ways of looking at this.

First, the results against Manchester City, who took at least four points off every 18th-placed team other than Birmingham City during the relevant period.

Secondly, the mere fact that City were able to assemble a squad far better than their finances should have allowed. Could they otherwise have been involved in relegation battles?

Again, this is not to say City would have been relegated. It is about chance.

BBC Sport has taken the total prize money earned by the team finishing in 20th in the following season. That suggests a minimum return for having stayed in the top flight.

Deducted from that is the first season of parachute payments to give a net amount.

Hull City were relegated twice in the period, costing the Tigers £93.78m.

The Tigers finished below City in the table four times, adding £5.2m in place money to the sum.

It leaves the East Yorkshire club as the second-most-impacted on £99m.

Learn more about how the numbers were calculated here

John Egan says Hull's players "never question" their "character" as a group after they came from behind again to take a point against Everton.

After keeping clean sheets in their first three Premier League games, the Tigers have had to deal with falling behind over the last few fixtures and they have fought hard to pick up points in games against both Chelsea and the Toffees.

Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside about Hull's ability to fight back from deficits, Egan said: "I think you need a good mentality to come back and get a result and we did that and we were pushing until the very end.

"We never question the character in that dressing room. We've been together a long time now and we've been asked lots of questions and we'll always answer them.

"If you go behind, it's not the end of the world. Just stay in the game as long as you can and hope you show quality and get back into it.

"We started with clean sheets and we're not happy with the two goals we conceded today, so lots to work on. Always improving. We're playing in the best league in the world, so you have to be on it and you have to keep learning from every game."

Listen to the full chat above or on BBC Sounds here

Image source, Getty Images

After scoring for Algeria on Tuesday, Mohamed Belloumi was only fit enough for the bench but his late goal was enough to save his side's unbeaten home start to the season.

The midfielder looked set to shoot first time but smartly tapped the ball past Dewsbury-Hall and beat Pickford for pace with his driven shot.

A win would have taken Hull into the top four. Their strong start has been built on a solid defence and Everton's double were the first home goals they have conceded this season.

Still, City fans will be delighted with their side's start. Last season's Championship play-off winners now up to nine points from six Premier League games thanks to two wins and three draws.

Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic to BBC Match of the Day: "I saw a good game, tough game. It was not easy. First half maybe we were scrappy on the ball with our transitions but we had what we had. Second ball when they made mistakes, we punished them immediately. But unfortunately after this we gave them two goals.

"It's big cardinal mistakes. But I can be happy with the boys because we showed good mentality. A point is good. Congratulations to both teams today. A great mentality, a strong mentality. We never surrendered."

On goalscorer Mohamed Belloumi not starting: "On Friday he came to me he was fatigued and there was a lot of travelling. He's also a very young guy and in the past he has had a few injuries. But he's a great player and he can make the difference.

"It's a good stadium for us, it's our home, our crowd. It's not easy to beat us. But we must also try to win some games because the table is so tight so every point is important to us."

Hull goalscorer Joe Gelhardt to BBC Match of the Day: "Every player wants to play. When I found out yesterday I was buzzing and couldn't wait to get playing.

"There is a lot of competition, we know we have a lot of great quality in the dressing room so when you get your chance you have to take it with both hands to try and stay in the team and give the manager a decision.

"It's an amazing moment. I've waited a long time to play back in the Premier League since I was at Leeds so to do that and score was an unbelievable feeling.

"I just remember Sorba [Thomas] played a great pass and I was just waiting for movement from [Jordan] Pickford to see if he would do anything, and then I decided to go with that chip.

"I think it's a good point."

Hear more from Jakirovic on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Hull City have remained unbeaten in their first three home games of a top-flight season for only the second time, after previously doing so in 2013-14.

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

Have your say on Hull City's performance

What did you make of Everton's display?

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

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

• Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Hull City v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Liverpool v Manchester City (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction to the two 14:00 games here

And go here for Liverpool v Man City

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 Liverpool v Manchester 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

Image source, BBC Sport

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

Hull City's unbeaten start ended at Newcastle United last time out, but even then they almost snatched a point after going 2-0 down early on.

The Tigers deserved something from the game for the way they finished it - I had gone for them to get a draw with my prediction and I should have been right.

This game smells of a really obvious 1-1 draw to me too.

A win would be massive for Hull's confidence, as well as their hopes of staying up, but Everton already look like they are just going to grind through the season and I don't see them losing this.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

After their first setback of the season before the international break, Hull City will be hoping to get on track again when they welcome an unbeaten Everton team to the MKM Stadium on Sunday (14:00 BST).

The Tigers were unable to recover from two early Newcastle United goals last time out, eventually losing 2-1 at St James' Park in what was their first league loss of the campaign. But they go into the weekend in eighth and with a solid foundation in place to keep clear of relegation trouble.

Everton sit a place above Hull in seventh. David Moyes and his players have had a lot of noise to deal with off the pitch - it was confirmed on Friday that the club is up for sale - but on he field they've performed well, winning four and drawing three matches in all competitions so far.

Tigers tamed by Toon - what next?

Keep it tight and play on the counter-attack. Hull's plan has been clear since their return to the top flight. Unfortunately for head coach Sergej Jakirovic, the blueprint is not compatible with being two goals down after seven minutes, as they were at Newcastle.

They did at least respond well and gave themselves a chance thanks to Mohamed-Ali Cho's second-half goal. But it was too much of a deficit for the Tigers to tackle.

In terms of approach, it would be a surprise if too much changed against Everton, with Hull's plan serving them well through the first four games. Jakirovic's side won't be desperate to get on the ball, that's for sure.

So far this season, they rank 20th among Premier League teams for successful passes – Hull's total of 1,017 is 305 lower than Coventry City's 1,322, in 19th – and average possession, with 32.3%. Everton, their opponents this weekend, rank 17th in the latter category with 43.6%.

They have also only completed 22 sequences of 10 or more passes, which is a league low. Their rate of 0.4 build-up attacks per 90 is also the lowest by a Premier League team in any season since 2018-19 (Cardiff City's 0.37 per game).

Toffees find purpose after turbulent summer

Although some sales late in the transfer window left Everton without any depth in key positions, a number of different players have been able to step up and shine.

Young midfielder Harrison Armstrong leads the Premier League for distance covered so far with 60.4km, while the return to fitness of Jarrad Branthwaite – he leads the league for blocks with 11 – has been key to Everton having the joint-best defensive record in the division going into the weekend.

Branthwaite's presence also brings out the best in Blues captain James Tarkowski, who has started this campaign well after a tough end to 2025-26.

The veteran centre-back has the best success rate of any player to contest 15 or more duels in the Premier League this season, with 83%. He is also the only defender to make 10 or more tackles and 10 or more interceptions, with 11 and 14 respectively. Tarkowski also has a goal and an assist for good measure.

Most crucially, though, when Branthwaite and Tarkowski have been on the field together for the Toffees, improved results have followed.

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Everton at the MKM Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jakirovic first provided an update in injuries and fitness: "We have some problems. Today [Matt] Targett twisted his ankle, so he is off for this game. [Hidemasa] Morita came back, Brooke Norton-Cuffy came back also in the training session."

• On feelings going into Everton game after the extended international break: "I have a few doubts because some players lack energy. It is normal and it is mental. Sometimes it is normal fatigue. It is my responsibility that I have to try to choose the right one."

• On the length of the break, he added: "It is a long break. We had 10 [senior] players in the building. A lot on international duties and thank God they come back healthy."

• Asked about playing back at MKM Stadium, he responded: "We have not played one month at home, so it is always a great opportunity on Sunday. Of course, we have a lot of space for improvement. We are doing this every day, so we are trying. Sometimes a small mistake at this level is a goal."

• On facing the Toffees: "Still unbeaten. It is very difficult to stay unbeaten. I think they're very pragmatic, they have high tactical discipline. Good players, international players of England. Also, [Jack] Grealish is there. Maybe he can be the difference at any time. They have experience at this level. I am expecting a difficult game on Sunday, but they also have pros and cons, so we will try to use these cons."

• On their boss David Moyes: "I call this type of coach an old fox. They know everything about football, they have a lot of experience."

Hit play above to hear more from Jakirovic or listen on BBC Sounds here

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news