Newcastle United survived a tense finish to stop Hull City’s perfect start to the Premier League season, claiming a hard fought win at St James’ Park.
Manager Matthias Jaissle had promised his squad would respond firmly after Monday’s heavy 4-1 loss to Leeds United, and despite dealing with several injury absences, his players delivered an energetic opening display.
The home side surged ahead inside three minutes when Joe Willock, back in the starting eleven, buried a low finish after Harvey Barnes threaded a pass into his path from close range.
Barnes was influential again shortly after as Newcastle doubled their tally. Weaving past two Hull defenders, he squared the ball for Lewis Hall, who curled a fierce shot beyond the goalkeeper for his effort to nestle into the corner.
Chances kept coming before the interval. Yoane Wissa stepped up to convert a penalty after Sorba Thomas fouled Jacob Murphy in the box, but Hull keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis guessed the right way and denied him.
Hull emerged with renewed purpose after the restart, and substitute Mohamed Ali Cho, signed from Nice over the summer, scored his maiden goal for the club to reignite hopes of a comeback.
Newcastle goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek then produced a superb reaction stop to deny a powerful long range attempt from Mohamed Belloumi, while late substitute Tim Iroegbunam blazed a close range volley over the crossbar in the closing stages.
The result lifted Newcastle to eighth in the standings, while Hull dropped to seventh after tasting league defeat for the first time this campaign.
