Herrington hype grows as unfancied Hull silence doubters again
Sergej Jakirović showered Lucas Herrington with praise after the Australian teenager helped continue Hull City’s remarkable start to the Premier League season on Sunday (AEST).
Herrington, who turned 19 on Saturday, was brought off the bench in the 70th minute against Aston Villa at a packed MKM Stadium.
Lucas Herrington of Hull City applauds the fans. Getty
The young Socceroos star was again rock solid in central defence as Hull held Villa to a 0-0 draw.
Newly promoted Hull are yet to concede a goal in three games and sit second on the standings behind only cashed-up behemoth Manchester City.
Hull were nearly everyone’s tip to finish last and get relegated while Villa came fourth in 2025-26 and play in the Champions League.
“He’s excellent, he’s got great potential,” manager Jakirović said of Herrington.
“With this experience, he will grow also, so it will be very, very good, good for him and a great experience for him. I think he can be very excellent… I don’t have any fear when he’s on the pitch. I believe in him, 100 per cent. Just stay healthy and everything is possible.”
The only other team yet to concede this season is defending champions Arsenal, who take on a potent Chelsea in a blockbuster London derby on Monday (AEST).
“In my opinion defence is (the key to) winning titles and for us, a title is staying in the league because we will always create some chances,” Jakirović said.
“Even today from 70th minute to 85th minute we sat back and waited for opportunities and then at the end we had two excellent opportunities (for Mohamed Ali-Cho and Oli McBurnie).”
Villa’s struggles continue as Unai Emery’s side are still searching for a first goal and have one point from three matches.
Meanwhile, City scrambled a 1-0 victory over promoted Coventry City that maintained their 100 per cent record but showed Enzo Maresca’s side are a work in progress after completing their $845 million rebuild.
A third successive win was sealed in familiar fashion by Erling Haaland, with a little help from British record-equalling signing Enzo Fernández on his debut, but City were made to sweat by a Coventry side still seeking a first point.
Maresca handed debuts to Fernández and fellow deadline-day signing Iliman Ndiaye, while midfielder Elliott Anderson, whose club record $216 million arrival was surpassed by Fernández, was also in the starting lineup.
Fernández played a key role in Haaland’s 26th-minute opener, sliding a pass through for Antoine Semenyo, whose cross the Norway striker headed in.
Haaland’s strike was his 300th goal in all competitions in his top-flight club career.
Haaland also had a goal ruled out, but it was Coventry who finished strongly, and an equaliser would not have flattered Frank Lampard’s side, who forced City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma into a string of saves.
City completed 803 passes to Coventry’s 217, but there was some relief at the final whistle, although Maresca was happy enough with the nature of the performance.
“I really liked today for different reasons. First half we could have scored one or two more, but we worked together to win, so I am happy,” the Italian said.
“Anxiety from the fans is normal. Nine out of 10 of these games you end with a bad feeling, but it’s important to win 1-0. Not all the performances are going to be nice, you also need ugly moments.”
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace earned their first league victory of the campaign as they twice came from a goal down to prevail 3-2 at Fulham.
Josh King put Fulham ahead after 11 minutes, but Tyrick Mitchell levelled for the visitors before Cesar Palacios tucked in a rebound to restore the home side’s lead.
Mitchell equalised again for Pierre Sage’s side before Ben Chilwell, who joined on a free transfer, latched onto a loose ball to drive home the winner in the 77th minute.
“It’s a good result, but we have to be honest, our start has not been of the level expected. We did better with mentality in the second half,” Sage said.
Newcastle United recovered from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 at home to Bournemouth who scored first for the third game in a row but are still without a victory.
Bournemouth made Premier League history by becoming the first club to score first in their opening three games of a season without winning any of them.
Marcus Tavernier gave Bournemouth an early lead before a Malick Thiaw own goal made it 2-0 after 35 minutes.
Harvey Barnes pulled a goal back before halftime and Jacob Ramsey earned Newcastle a point with a late strike to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
“Two times already in the last two games, but it is what it is,” Bournemouth manager Marco Rose said.
“It’s good that we are in situations to be able to win games... we have to talk about the negatives, get better and try to finish the games.”
Tottenham Hotspur picked up their first point of the season but failed to have a shot on target in a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest who had a goal ruled out by VAR for handball.
Brighton and Hove Albion drew 1-1 at home to Leeds United and Brentford versus Sunderland also finished 1-1.
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