Arabic version: هال سيتي يبني بداية قوية في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز

According to BBC News, Hull City have taken seven points from their first three Premier League matches after promotion, including Saturday’s 0-0 home draw with Aston Villa. Sergej Jakirovic’s side have also recorded three clean sheets and sit two points behind early leaders Manchester City.

Hull beat Manchester United on the opening day and fellow promoted side Coventry City before holding Europa League winners Villa at the MKM Stadium. Jakirovic joked about a possible Champions League challenge before stressing that it was too early to make predictions. The head coach said the club’s aim is to reach roughly 38 to 40 points as quickly as possible.

The Tigers’ defensive record has been central to the early run. John Egan, part of a three-man defence with Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy, said the work began on the training pitch and was helped by the side’s experience in the system. Only Charlton in 1998-99 and Huddersfield Town in 2017-18 had previously started a Premier League campaign following promotion with clean sheets in each of their first three league games.

Hull have done so despite having the lowest possession figure in the division this season, at 29%. The club strengthened heavily during the summer, bringing in 18 players for about £150m, including Tim Iroegbunam from Everton for £22m. Jakirovic said players without a pre-season would be given opportunities to build fitness, with the Carabao Cup match against Sunderland cited as a chance to provide minutes.

The start contrasts with Hull’s recent past: the club avoided relegation to League One on goal difference last year, before Jakirovic guided them through the play-offs and into the top flight. History offers encouragement, as no newly promoted team has been relegated after earning at least seven points from its opening three Premier League games. However, Jakirovic said Hull must keep collecting points rather than rely on an early statistical advantage.