Hull City marked their return to the Premier League in stunning fashion, stunning Manchester United as the opening weekend of the new season delivered plenty of drama across the division. The victory capped a remarkable turnaround for a club that spent nine years away from the top flight before securing promotion last season through the play-offs.
Speaking after the result, Hull assistant head coach Dean Holden reflected on what the win meant for a squad and a club still adjusting to life back among England's elite. Holden addressed the widespread scepticism that has surrounded Hull's chances of surviving in the top division this season, suggesting that being written off by pundits and rivals has only sharpened his players' focus rather than dented their confidence.
Holden also touched on the influence of striker Oli McBurnie, whose presence and experience have been viewed as important factors in Hull's early-season approach. The forward's role within the squad was highlighted as part of the broader conversation about how the promoted side has managed to make such an immediate impact against one of the league's traditional heavyweights.
Beyond the tactical and personnel discussions, Holden gave insight into working under Hull's ownership, offering a rare glimpse into the dynamics behind the scenes at a club that has often been scrutinised for its off-field structure in recent years. His comments painted a picture of an organisation working cohesively as it attempts to establish itself in the Premier League once more.
Elsewhere in a weekend packed with talking points, Tottenham Hotspur endured a difficult start to the campaign, suffering a defeat against Brentford that raised early questions about Spurs' form and preparation heading into the new season. The result was one of several notable outcomes across the opening round of fixtures that shaped discussion among pundits and commentators.
The weekend also carried emotional weight at St James' Park, where tributes were paid to former Newcastle United and England manager Kevin Keegan, a figure who remains deeply revered on Tyneside for his impact both as a player and as a manager. Alongside the tributes, attention turned to how Newcastle's supporters welcomed striker Alexander Isak back into the fold, with his reception forming part of the broader narrative from Newcastle's opening weekend.
The wide-ranging discussion, which also touched on other storylines from across the division, underlined just how eventful the first weekend of Premier League action proved to be. For Hull, though, the headline story remained their victory over Manchester United — a result that instantly bolstered belief among players and staff that the club can compete at this level despite being tipped by many for an immediate relegation battle.
With Holden's comments suggesting a group unified in the face of external doubt, Hull will be hoping to carry the momentum from their opening-day upset into the weeks ahead as they attempt to establish themselves as more than merely surprise packages in a competitive Premier League season.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.