Semi Ajayi has revealed he was initially unsure whether he or a teammate had scored Hull City’s historic opening goal in their stunning 2-0 Premier League victory over Manchester United on Saturday, a result that marked a dream return to the top flight for the newly promoted Tigers.
Ajayi struck in the 17th minute at the MKM Stadium, reacting quickest inside the box after United’s goalkeeper failed to deal with a corner, firing home from close range to send the home crowd into raptures.
Nobel Mendy doubled the advantage before the break, heading in from a free-kick, as Hull produced a performance that left United shellshocked and secured the club’s first-ever Premier League win over the Red Devils.
Despite being credited with the goal, Ajayi admitted the celebrations were chaotic enough that he genuinely didn’t know who had got the final touch.
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“I’m not going to lie, I thought he scored as well, so we were celebrating and he asked, ‘Did you score?’ and I said, ‘I think so,’” Ajayi told TNT Sports. “But I didn’t really care if it was either of us in the moment, but I was buzzing it was ultimately my goal.”
The 32-year-old defender said the breakthrough was thoroughly deserved after Hull had already created several openings against their heavily fancied opponents.
“It was amazing, it capped off a really good start that we had,” he said. “We had a couple of chances that we didn’t manage to take, but obviously that one got us in the lead and we had something to build on, and I’m happy we went on to get the three points.”
The goal carried extra significance beyond the result itself. It ended an eight-year wait for a Premier League goal at Hull, whose previous top-flight strike had come in May 2017, when Sam Clucas found the net in a heavy 7-1 defeat to Tottenham.
It was also Ajayi’s first Premier League goal since January 2021, when he scored for West Bromwich Albion against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Ajayi’s route back to the Premier League has been a long one. Born in Crayford and a product of Charlton Athletic’s academy, he came through Arsenal’s youth system before loan spells at Cardiff City, AFC Wimbledon, Crewe Alexandra and Rotherham United shaped his early career. He spent six seasons at West Bromwich Albion, making 170 league appearances and helping the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2019-20, before injuries limited him to 15 league games in his final season at the Hawthorns.
He joined Hull City on a two-year deal last summer and has since become a key figure in the heart of their defence, helping steer the club back to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs after a nine-year absence from the top flight.
Saturday’s win was also Hull’s first league victory over Manchester United in 52 years, adding historic weight to Ajayi’s landmark moment in front of an ecstatic home crowd.
