Hull City are very much the story of the Premier League's early weeks. Back-to-back wins, six points from six, and a travelling support ready to tell anyone who will listen that they are going to win the title. Sergej Jakirovic's side followed up last weekend's shock victory over Manchester United by heading to the CBS Arena and doing precisely the same thing to Coventry — condemning Frank Lampard's side to a second successive defeat with a late, ruthless sucker-punch.

Liam Millar was the man who made it happen. The Canada winger, introduced on the hour, had already wasted Hull's clearest opening of the afternoon when, with 74 minutes on the clock, he ignored the unmarked Mohamed Belloumi to his right and sent a tame effort bobbling wide. Jakirovic's expression was not a forgiving one. Millar, to his enormous credit, did not let it linger. Eight minutes from time he collected possession on the break, kept his composure, and coolly slotted past Carl Rushworth to send the away end into bedlam.

A historic occasion soured for Coventry

It was a cruel outcome for the home side, who had given themselves every reason to believe an equaliser was coming. This was, as club owner and chair Doug King noted before kick-off, Coventry's first top-flight home fixture in more than 25 years — and their first Premier League match in this stadium. The build-up had the feel of a genuine occasion. King himself, wearing an elephant brooch on his suit in reference to the animal that adorns both the club's badge and the city's coat of arms, joined thousands of supporters in belting out The Enemy's We'll Live and Die in These Towns, the club's adopted pre-match anthem. Pyrotechnics left a haze drifting across the pitch as Lampard's side got things under way.

For long stretches, Coventry were the better team. Taiwo Awoniyi, making his full league debut, sent a tame header straight at Konstantinos Tzolakis before forcing a sharp right-hand save from the Hull goalkeeper after Nobel Mendy had flicked on Loum Tchaouna's cross. Lampard worked through his substitutions in search of a breakthrough — the arrival of Gus Hamer, a familiar face in these parts, drew a particularly warm response from the home fans — but clear-cut chances in front of goal remained elusive.

Jakirovic's Hull refuse to sit still

Hull were far from convincing in open play. Their only shot on target before the winner was a speculative 30-yard effort from left-back Mendy. But they showed the sort of streetwise efficiency that has characterised their opening fortnight: defend with organisation, hit teams on the break, and trust your forward line to take a chance when it arrives.

Millar duly obliged, finishing off a devastating counterattack to cap what is becoming a very intriguing start to Hull's top-flight campaign. Jakirovic was on the pitch at full time conducting the celebrations. The Hull faithful were doing something similar in the stands.

For Coventry, the task now is to regroup quickly. Two defeats, no points, and a home crowd that gave them everything they could have asked for — only to be left with nothing to show for it. The Premier League is not offering any sympathy just yet.

Key moments

  • 74 mins: Millar squanders Hull's best opening, shooting wide when Belloumi is free to his right.
  • 82 mins: Millar makes amends, slotting past Rushworth on the counter to give Hull the lead.
  • Full time: Coventry 0-1 Hull. Hull up to six points from six; Coventry still searching for their first point.

Frequently asked

How many points do Hull have after two Premier League games?
Hull have six points from their opening two Premier League matches, having beaten Manchester United and Coventry City in successive weekends.
Who scored the winning goal for Hull against Coventry?
Liam Millar scored Hull's winner in the 82nd minute, coolly slotting past Carl Rushworth to complete a counterattack and secure a 1-0 victory.
Why was Coventry vs Hull a historic match for Coventry City?
It was Coventry's first top-flight home game in more than 25 years and their first Premier League fixture at the Coventry Building Society Arena.