Why Hull City's Premier League Start Is Impressing Everyone

Hull City's 2-2 draw with Ipswich draws praise from Danny Murphy and Stephen Warnock

Hull City's 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town on Saturday drew praise from former Premier League players Danny Murphy and Stephen Warnock, who both admit to being impressed by Sergej Jakirovic's Tigers. City came from a goal down to lead 2-1 thanks to Tim Iroegbunam and Oli McBurnie, before a fine Enciso strike secured a point for the Tractor Boys.

Result: Hull City 2-2 Ipswich Town
Goalscorers: Tim Iroegbunam, Oli McBurnie (Hull City); Enciso (Ipswich Town)
League position: Both Hull City and Ipswich Town on 11 points from nine games
Next fixture: Hull City travel to leaders and reigning champions Arsenal on Saturday
Key stat: No team in the last 16 years has been relegated after notching up 11 points from their first nine games

What was said

"There's lots to admire about both, isn't there? There really is."

— Danny Murphy, speaking to the BBC

"I think with Ipswich, they're trying to play the right way; their resilience as well. They've scored lots of late goals to get points back in games to either draw or win games, and that means they've obviously got a strong mentality, good togetherness, fitness is good, good, good bench. He's doing a terrific job, and there's lots to admire about Hull as well, isn't there?"

— Danny Murphy, speaking to the BBC

"I look at the defensive record for them: 10 goals against. When you come into the Premier League, that's an organisation, that's how you're together as a team, how difficult you are to play against. They got a lot of draws, which is positive as well, because when you go into a game, then, you know you're an organised team."

— Danny Murphy, speaking to the BBC

Murphy's comments highlight the respect Hull City have earned early in the season. He specifically praises Ipswich's resilience and late goals, but also notes Hull's defensive organisation, pointing to their 10 goals conceded as evidence of a well-drilled unit. The former Liverpool midfielder's assessment underlines how both promoted sides have adapted to the Premier League.

Stephen Warnock, a former defender, also expressed his admiration for the Tigers' defensive record, though he acknowledged that manager Sergej Jakirovic will want to tighten things up having not kept a clean sheet since the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa back in early September. Warnock's view adds weight to the notion that Hull's organisation is a key factor in their promising start.

The numbers

11 points: Hull City's tally from their first nine games
10 goals against: Hull City's defensive record this season
2 defeats: Hull City have lost just twice in their first nine games
2 draws: Hull City have drawn their last two matches
0 clean sheets since the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa in early September
16 years: No team has been relegated after 11 points from their first nine games in that span

Why Hull City's organisation is turning heads

Sergej Jakirovic has set up his Hull City side to be compact and disciplined, and the statistics back that up. Conceding just 10 goals in nine games is a testament to the structure he has implemented. The midfield pair of Tim Iroegbunam and Oli McBurnie — though McBurnie is typically a forward — have contributed at both ends, with both getting on the scoresheet against Ipswich. The defensive unit, marshalled by the backline, has been difficult to break down, even if clean sheets have been elusive since early September.

Against Ipswich, Hull showed character to come from a goal down at half-time to lead 2-1, before Enciso rescued a point for the visitors. That fighting spirit is exactly what Murphy and Warnock have highlighted. The Tigers' ability to respond to adversity suggests a strong mentality within the squad, something that will be crucial as they face tougher tests ahead.

Next up is a trip to Arsenal, the league leaders and reigning champions. It will be the ultimate test of Hull's defensive resolve. Jakirovic will likely set his team up to be hard to beat, relying on the organisation that has impressed the pundits. If they can maintain their discipline and perhaps nick a goal from a set-piece or counter-attack, they could spring a surprise. But regardless of the result, the early signs are that Hull City belong in the Premier League.

Talking points

Can Hull City maintain their impressive defensive record against the league's best attacking sides, starting with Arsenal on Saturday?
Is 11 points from nine games enough to suggest Hull will comfortably avoid relegation, or is a tougher run of fixtures on the horizon?
Should Sergej Jakirovic be concerned about the lack of clean sheets, or is the overall defensive solidity more important?
How much of Hull's success is down to Jakirovic's tactics versus the individual quality of players like Iroegbunam and McBurnie?

What happens next

Hull City travel to Arsenal on Saturday for their next Premier League fixture. The match represents a significant challenge against the league leaders, but Jakirovic's men will go there with confidence after a positive start to life in the top flight. A result at the Emirates would further enhance their growing reputation and provide another boost to their survival hopes.