Newcastle vs Hull City ended with a 2-1 victory for the Magpies at St James’ Park, although the hosts were forced to withstand a spirited second-half fightback after Hull threatened to rescue their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.
Joe Willock and Lewis Hall put Newcastle two goals ahead inside the opening seven minutes, giving Matthias Jaissle’s side the perfect response to their chastening 4-1 defeat against Leeds United earlier in the week. However, Mohamed-Ali Cho pulled one back for Hull after the break, setting up a tense finish that required Newcastle goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek to make a crucial late save.
The result moved Newcastle up to eighth place with eight points from their opening five league matches, while Hull suffered their first league defeat of the campaign and dropped to seventh.
Newcastle vs Hull City produces two very different halves
Newcastle entered the match determined to respond after their heavy defeat at Leeds, and the intensity of their opening minutes made that intention immediately clear.
The hosts needed just three minutes to take the lead. Lewis Miley won possession high up the pitch before Harvey Barnes poked the ball through to Willock, who made no mistake from inside the penalty area.
The midfielder’s finish gave Newcastle an early advantage and provided exactly the kind of energetic start Jaissle had demanded from his players.
Four minutes later, the Magpies doubled their lead.
Newcastle again pressed aggressively and recovered possession in a dangerous area before Barnes drove forward. The winger danced past two Hull players and slipped the ball into the path of Hall, who produced a composed angled drive into the bottom corner.
At 2-0 down after only seven minutes, Hull appeared in serious trouble, but the visitors gradually settled into the match and began to find ways of resisting Newcastle’s pressure.
Newcastle had an opportunity to extend their advantage shortly before half-time when Sorba Thomas brought down Jacob Murphy inside the area. Yoane Wissa stepped forward to take the resulting penalty, but Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis guessed correctly and kept out the spot-kick.
That save ensured Hull remained within touching distance at the interval.
Hull fight back after the break
The second half brought a completely different contest as Hull became more adventurous and Newcastle struggled to maintain the intensity that had characterized their opening spell.
The visitors’ persistence was rewarded in the 67th minute when substitute Cho pulled a goal back. The forward, who joined Hull from Nice during the summer, produced his first goal for the club and suddenly gave his side genuine hope of completing an unlikely comeback.
Newcastle were increasingly forced onto the defensive, with Hull sensing that another goal could completely change the outcome.
Hornicek was eventually called upon to make an important intervention when Belloumi unleashed a powerful effort from distance. The Newcastle goalkeeper reacted quickly to produce a flying save and preserve his side’s advantage.
Hull continued to push in the closing stages, with substitute Tim Iroegbunam also going close after sending a half-volley over the bar from close range.
Newcastle ultimately held on, although the relief was obvious at the final whistle.
Jaissle, who had been applauding his team’s aggression at half-time, celebrated the victory with a relieved roar and clenched fists after surviving the late pressure.
Willock and Hall deliver the response Newcastle needed
The victory represented an important response for Newcastle after their disappointing performance against Leeds.
Jaissle had challenged his players to show greater determination in individual battles following Monday’s defeat, and the opening stages against Hull suggested that message had been understood.
Miley’s contribution to the opening goal was particularly telling, as his ability to win the ball high up the pitch immediately created the opportunity for Willock. Hall then followed that example by dispossessing a Hull player before finishing the move for Newcastle’s second.
Willock’s goal also continued his productive start to the season. He has now scored three goals in seven appearances across all competitions for Newcastle.
What next for both sides
However, the second half demonstrated that Newcastle still have work to do if they are to consistently control matches. After establishing a two-goal advantage, the hosts allowed Hull to build momentum and were eventually forced to rely on their goalkeeper and some determined defending to protect the points.
For Hull, the defeat ended an encouraging beginning to life in the Premier League. Their performance after the interval showed character, but the early deficit proved too difficult to overcome.
Newcastle now have eight points from their first five league matches, giving them a solid foundation after a summer of significant change. Hull remain just one place above them despite suffering their first league defeat, underlining how closely contested the early table remains.
For Jaissle, the most important thing was securing the response he demanded. Newcastle were aggressive, energetic and clinical at the start, but the late scare also showed why maintaining control for 90 minutes will be essential as the season develops.
