Hughes 'ticks first box' after surgerypublished at 14:12 GMT
14:12 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
Hull defender Charlie Hughes has made his return after missing the start of the season through injury and hernia surgery.
The 23-year-old played 45 minutes for the club's under-21 side in a match against Fleetwood Town and said he is "delighted" to play his first match since the Championship play-off final in May.
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, Hughes said: "It was a really nice moment to be back on the grass with a smile on my face,"
"It felt really good out there. [I had] no problems and feel no pain. A big thank you to the medical staff because it's been a frustrating few months, but I'm back out there feeling good.
"I was very confident on the pitch in everything I was doing, there wasn't any moments where I was backing out of challenges or anything. [Playing] for 45 minutes was always the first box to tick.
"I'm gutted I've missed the first few games but If I could go back in time I wouldn't change anything. Now my body is coping, I'm back on the grass and I'm just thinking about the next step now."
Ipswich wrongly denied VAR penalty against Hull - panelpublished at 11:09 GMT
11:09 GMT
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Ipswich should have been awarded a penalty in their 2-2 draw at Hull City on 31 October, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has ruled.
Nobel Mendy held back Dara O'Shea on a corner routine in the 18th minute when the game was goalless.
The KMI Panel voted 4-1 that referee Tom Kirk should have given the spot-kick on field, and that the video assistant referee, Neil Davies, should have intervened.
The majority felt that there was "a clear sustained holding offence", while one panellist considered that the "actions of O'Shea and Florentino Luis" within the move should have been taken into account, meaning no penalty.
Ipswich did open the scoring four minutes later through Luis.
'Jakirovic asked me to play and to show who I am' - Gourna-Douathpublished at 12:57 GMT 10 November
12:57 GMT 10 November
Image source, Getty Images
"The whole stadium saw that we are going to be a good team this season," said midfielder Lucas Gourna-Douath after Hull City fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat by reigning Premier League champions Arsenal.
Sergej Jakirovic's side are still searching for a first league win since August, having won their opening two games of the season.
"I felt that we would get something from the game but the Premier League isn't that easy," Gourna-Douath told BBC Radio Humberside. "I was convinced we could get something because we always show we are able to do great things on the field.
"The whole stadium saw that we are going to be a good team this season - and a difficult team to win against.
"We have to take team spirit from our performances, always. If you don't have great team spirit, you can't win. It isn't about smaller teams or bigger teams because every game is against a big team."
On making a second league start of the campaign after returning from a calf injury. Gourna-Douath added: "It felt good. My first start was against Aston Villa but then I got injured, so I don't think I was ready.
"When the gaffer told me I had the chance to come back and play against Arsenal, I was really proud. He just asked me to play and to show who I am - and I think I did that. Now it is about keeping the work up."
Listen to Lucas Gourna-Douath's full interview below or on BBC Sounds here
Arsenal 1-0 Hull City - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:44 GMT 9 November
12:44 GMT 9 November
Media caption,
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Hull City.
Here are some of your comments:
Arsenal fans
David: Another win, another step towards retaining the trophy. But these narrow victories are beginning to feel like we're playing with fire. The margins are too fine, the nerves too frayed. Sooner or later, 1-0 to the Arsenal becomes 1-1. We need to start turning dominance into goals and comfortable wins. You can't keep living on the edge.
Roger: Another win, but another game where Arsenal's lack of firepower was exposed. It will be interesting to see what moves Arsenal will make in January and who will make way.
Harry: OK, so it was another 1-0 victory but more importantly, it's three more points. Ideally we need to sign a proven goalscorer in January, but as long as we keep winning and Manchester City keep dropping points I'll be happy.
Frank: Definitely not flowing right now but I will take it all day long.
Dave: A typical battling display from the Gunners but highlighting the need for a top class striker that fits into the Arsenal style of play.
Hull City fans
Reginald: Kicked us off the pitch. 15 fouls to our six. Five yellow cards to our none.
Tone: I thought Hull put in a good effort to neutralise Arsenal for a large part of the game. Defended resolutely. Not pretty but effective. They can go home feeling pleased to have given the Champions a tough game.
Gary: Just a point dropped, not disastrous for the mighty Tigers, but the slide down the league isn't fun after a great start.
Al the Tiger: A good effort. Solid defensively throughout but we just couldn't create enough chances or take the ones that we made. It just all came down to one error from Konstantinos Tzolakis and that was enough for Arsenal to win it. High scoring Brighton next... it doesn't get any easier!
Mike: Yet further proof Hull are no pushovers. What they lack in class is made up with hard work and resolute defending. However, how far it will take them is the hard question. In the Premier League you also need to score and that will, I fear, be their eventual downfall. Arsenal on the other hand, far from convincing, even their goal had an element of luck. Not the side of last year, Hull made them look ordinary. COYT.
'Good balance' to Hull but will scoring goals prove an issue?published at 09:01 GMT 9 November
09:01 GMT 9 November
Chris Wise Final Score reporter
Image source, Getty Images
All of Hull's defeats this season have been by a single goal margin. There's nothing coincidental about that.
Hull have got a strong core to their defensive structure. They're well organised and not easy to break down, as Arsenal will tell you having had to wait until the final 20 minutes to dismantle them at the Emirates Stadium.
Sergej Jakirovic has clearly proven himself to be an excellent coach, and tactically he almost found a way to get an unlikely point at Arsenal. They didn't just sit in and soak up, they tried to get men forward as well. I thought there was a good balance to them.
I guess the worry with Hull is whether there's enough goals in their team. Their goals return right now is reasonable, but it feels like it might develop into a larger problem, particularly if the backline run into a difficult spell.
Arsenal 1-0 Hull City: What Jakirovic saidpublished at 17:43 GMT 7 November
17:43 GMT 7 November
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Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We need to take lessons. I think this team is still growing. It is a very, very big experience for us to compete at this level and especially against Arsenal.
"We have to continue like this and to fight. We tried to press them and push them forward. They were trying to play short passes. It isn't easy because you spend a lot of energy and every player for them can pass you.
"I am very pleased. We have to continue, every game for us is a big lesson.
"It was bad fortune [for the goal]. Maybe we could stop the second ball for their goal.
"Sometimes I feel sorry because we had three home games and we had the lead and maybe could be more clever in these situations but it is all experience.
"We have to do everything in the next games to reach at least one win."
Hull have failed to win in their last eight games in the Premier League. Their last longer winless streak was from 19 November 2016 to 2 January 2017 - a run of nine games.
This was Hull's 200th Premier League game (won 43. drawn 53, lost 104), only Watford (105) have lost more of their first 200 games in the competition than the Tigers.
Hull still searching for first win since Augustpublished at 17:42 GMT 7 November
17:42 GMT 7 November
Joe Rindl BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Hull started their first Premier League campaign in 10 years with two wins from two, but, by losing 1-0 to Arsenal on Saturday, have failed to record a victory in eight league games since.
Sergej Jakirovic's side competed with the champions for much of the match and had a chance to take the lead early on when Elliot Stroud's strike from a tight angle was well saved by David Raya.
The visitors tried to push for a late leveller but Arsenal always looked comfortable after going in front.
Hull may not have been able to replicate their shock 2-1 win at Arsenal from 2008, but this performance will at least give Jakirovic confidence his side can compete with the top flight's best.
Even so, this loss means the Tigers, who are four points above the relegation zone, are now winless across their past 15 meetings with Arsenal.
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Sutton's predictions: Arsenal v Hull Citypublished at 11:02 GMT 7 November
11:02 GMT 7 November
Hull City are scrapping for points and hanging on in there in a lot of games.
I get a lot of my predictions wrong for their games because I always go for them to lose, but I am not going to do anything different for them this week because of who they are playing.
Arsenal are just monsters, aren't they? They always seem to find a way and do enough to win games, even when they don't play well, and they will grind another result out here if they have to.
Arsenal v Hull City: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:26 GMT 6 November
19:26 GMT 6 November
Sophie Brown BBC Sport journalist
Arsenal's rare win at Anfield last weekend made it eight wins from their opening nine league matches of the season and sent a message of gritty intent to their Premier League rivals.
It even had football statisticians Opta speculating on the Gunners winning the title by a record margin, an accolade currently held by Manchester City, who finished 19 points clear in 2017-18.
While that may be a bit premature, Arsenal's total of 24 points after nine games is the most by a team at this stage of a Premier League season since Mikel Arteta's side also had 24 in 2022-23.
Only in 2004-05 and 2007-08 (both 25 points) have Arsenal ever had more at this stage of a Premier League campaign. They are two points better off after nine games of this campaign than last season, when they won the title.
Arsenal may not be quite firing yet in attack – just 14 goals in their nine league games – but they look solid in defence, with their five goals conceded the fewest in the top flight.
They have the lowest xG conceded (7.24), have faced the fewest shots on target (24) and have had clean sheets in their past three league games.
The determination they showed at Anfield reflects the fact that they have won all six of the league matches in which they have taken the lead this season.
Arteta's sides have developed a habit of this over his years in the top flight, with the Spaniard behind only Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho in this category.
Hull City are currently mid-table but haven't won a match since August, drawing five of their subsequent seven league games.
Although no promoted side who has had 11 points after nine games has been relegated from the Premier League since 2010-11, the Tigers will be wary of getting dragged into a battle at the bottom.
This will be Hull City's 200th Premier League game. They have lost more than half of the previous 199 (103), and their record at Arsenal doesn't bode well for any immediate improvement of that statistic.
They have won just one of their 13 away games against Arsenal, a 2-1 victory on their first visit to Emirates Stadium in September 2008.
Hull have a joint-high five draws in this season's Premier League, while Arsenal have had none. If the Tigers can come away from north London with a point on Saturday, it will feel like a victory.
'My dad used to give me £5 a goal'published at 09:43 GMT 6 November
09:43 GMT 6 November
Image source, Getty Images
Hull City defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy is set to return to his former club Arsenal on Saturday, having come through the Gunners' academy as a schoolboy.
Norton-Cuffy previously played for Arsenal Under-21s but never made a senior appearance for the club.
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, the 22-year-old said: "It will be a proud moment for sure. I think my family and friends will take it in a bit more than I do because it's always just another game. They'll be like, 'This is the Emirates, this is where he started.'"
Asked how many tickets his family and friends had requested, he added: "Every single London game this season is probably going to be hell. I've asked for, I think it was 10 or 12. Not too bad, but I'm going to see if I can get more. Mum, my dad and my brothers will be there. And then a few close friends."
Before joining Arsenal, Norton-Cuffy spent time at Chelsea, having signed for the club as a child. He remained there for around three or four years before being released and subsequently joining the Gunners.
Reflecting on his early days in football, he said: "I just wanted to play football. I was a striker back then, I used to score goals. My dad used to give me £5 a goal. It was great pocket money, he went broke really quick.
"Halfway through the season my dad stopped it because in my first game I scored seven, in my second game I scored like 15, so my dad was like, 'We're not doing this anymore.' If you have a good game we'll get a McDonald's."
However, it was an Arsenal coach who would eventually help transform Norton-Cuffy from a goalscoring striker into a right-back.
He credited Greg Lincoln, who coached him for several years at the academy, with playing a major role in his development and suggesting the positional switch during his under-14 season.
He said: "It was my coach at Arsenal, Greg Lincoln. I had him for quite a few years while I was at Arsenal. He's been one of the biggest helps for my career.
"I was playing striker and then in the under-13/14 season is when I started to go on the wing. And then in under-14s we just didn't have a great season, and Greg said to me, 'I think you'll be a decent right-back, you know. You can get forward and press really well. You're physically good, try it.'
"At first I was like, 'no'. Then I played it one game and I got an assist and I was like, this isn't too bad. I did a few more games and I started to enjoy the one-v-one side of it and getting forward."
Jakirovic on senior player expectations, different plans and facing Arsenalpublished at 14:23 GMT 5 November
14:23 GMT 5 November
Grace Wheeler BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT.
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Hull City will be without Matt Crooks at the Emirates on Saturday, who has received a one-match Premier League suspension following his fifth yellow card of the campaign, picked up during the game against Ipswich last weekend.
Goalkeeper Jack Butland is back in training and featured for the under-21s on Monday.
On his squad: "I expect more from our senior players, to make a difference. You see a lack of game play and they need time. We need match fitness and game experiences and this is what we will be doing in the future with the younger players."
Discussing Hull's 200th Premier League game and facing defending champions Arsenal, Jakirovic joked: "It is a very easy game for us. What is so difficult?", before adding: "Jokes aside, I am very proud of the club. 200 appearances isn't a small number. We know how difficult it is in the Premier League, so I want to thank all supporters. Currently Arsenal are playing the best football, [along] with Paris St-Germain."
On how his side can get a victory at the Emirates stadium on Saturday, just like Hull City did in 2008: "We need Andy Dawson." (Dawson, who is a current coach, started in defence in the game, which the Tigers won 2-1).
The Hull boss continued: "He [Dawson] is with us, which is good. I have watched a lot of Arenal's game and tried to find something, but they are brilliant and a very strong team. No matter who is on the pitch, they create a very difficult game for us."
On his team's formation: "We will have to see. We have tried something this week - plan A, plan B, and C - but we will see."
He added: "It has to be front-foot and aggressive because Arsenal have very high quality."
Hit play above to hear more from Jakirovic, speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, or listen on BBC Sounds here
Should Tigers be collecting more points at home? published at 16:31 GMT 4 November
16:31 GMT 4 November
Media caption,
Hull City continue to prove they belong in the Premier League, but another home draw leaves Tigers fan Ryan Frankish wondering whether valuable points are slipping away:
"I have mixed feelings of frustration and jubilation after Hull City came back from being 1-0 down against Ipswich Town to fight for a leading position, then there is a moment of quality from Enciso, and we have thrown away that winning position.
"I feel like a really negative fan when I complain about any sort of point that we achieve in the Premier League.
"I can't help but think we should be picking up more points at home, not through expectation but through the quality of performances.
"We now have a really horrible run of fixtures coming up. The goal has to remain the same, we need to stay in the Premier League, so this is why these points are important.
"I think we are so close to achieving so much more. My expectation and my desire is not European qualification. We do not need European football distracting us from the land of milk and honey that is the Premier League.
"I think we can get something from the Arsenal game.
"They have proved they are very dangerous from set-pieces. With how keen, hungry, big and physical our defence is, we can nullify that somewhat.
"As long as we don't sit back and we use Oli McBurnie as the main focal point, then we can give Arsenal a game."
'Something I know I need to bring to my game' - Iroegbunam wants more goalspublished at 15:47 GMT 2 November
15:47 GMT 2 November
Media caption,
Tim Iroegbunam described the "amazing" feeling of scoring his first goal for Hull City in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town.
It was also the 23-year-old midfielder's first goal in the Premier League, on his 66th appearance in the competition.
"I am so grateful. I'm not really known for my goalscoring ability but it is something I know I need to bring to my game," Iroegbunam told BBC Radio Humberside.
"I'm happy to start it here."
Despite leading 2-1 it was another draw for the Tigers, which means their last win in the league is still their victory at Coventry City in August.
"As a team I don't think we've looked at it that much," he said when asked about the feeling of turning draws into victories.
"The league is tight and every point really does matter, regardless of if it's three or one. They will help us in the end.
"As long as we are picking up points, we can be happy and move on."
David: Classic game of two halves. Hull chasing shadows in the first and could have been three or four down. Much-improved second half with 4-4-2 more effective. Entertaining game.
Craig: Up the Tigers - although a win would be nice, it wasn't deserved. After so many draws it pains me to say it, but it was a fair result. We're still hard to beat, still proving the critics wrong and still not battling relegation - so no complaints from me.
Dave: Dire first half - no fight, no energy. Second half was much better and we improved when we went to back four at the back. Should have held on as Ipswich were average, despite loads of possession, and needed a worldie.
Tracey: Set up too defensively at home both last week and this week. The manager needs to get a grip and play attacking football at home. Consecutive draws could have easily been six points if we were set up to attack. I'd rather go down fighting and attacking than be boring.
Ipswich fans
Ed: A point away in the Premier League is no mean feat, but seriously, Ipswich should have walked this one. The goals Ipswich conceded were both so avoidable. Thank goodness the attackers know what they're doing.
Tony: We need to be more clinical in front of goal. We could have won this game in the first half and paid the price in the second. Lucky to escape with a draw. Very frustrating.
Robert: If the Ipswich that play after they go behind were to appear while they are level or ahead, they would be much higher in the league. They had the composure, now they need the self belief at the outset of each match.
Stephen: Disappointing we didn't get the three points.
Are Tigers under pressure despite dream start?published at 09:17 GMT 2 November
09:17 GMT 2 November
Keifer MacDonald BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Newly promoted sides Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City have collected a combined 31 points after nine games, the 13th-highest tally by promoted sides at this stage in Premier League history.
Hull City and Ipswich account for 22 of those points, with Sergej Jakirovic and Gary O'Neil's sides both sitting on 11.
Coventry are slightly behind their promoted peers, but the Sky Blues' three victories have still earned them a respectable nine points.
And there is further encouragement for the newcomers - since the 2010-11 season, all 18 promoted teams who have collected at least 11 points from their opening nine games have avoided relegation.
The Premier League season had barely begun when Hull City made waves.
In their first match in the top flight since being relegated in 2017, the Tigers stunned Manchester United with a 2-0 victory on the opening weekend.
Although much of the attention centred on what the result meant for United manager Michael Carrick, the Tigers were quickly emerging as one of the season's feel-good stories.
Having earned promotion to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs, Jakirovic's side were flying the flag for the promoted clubs in the early weeks of the campaign.
After following up their opening-day triumph with a 1-0 win at Coventry, Hull earned respectable draws against Aston Villa and Chelsea.
But since suffering their first defeat of the season, the Tigers have collected just three points from their four matches since.
And with Arsenal and Brighton up next, the Tigers will know their impressive start could count for little if they fail to add to their points tally soon.
But the Premier League is a marathon, not a sprint - and all three promoted clubs will have belief that they can build on their encouraging starts.
Image source, Getty Images
