Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi announced his return to the Premier League in unforgettable style, turning in a commanding performance and grabbing the opening goal as newly promoted Hull City stunned Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium.
The Super Eagles star needed just 17 minutes to make his mark. Following a poorly defended corner kick by Manchester United, the ball broke kindly inside the box for Ajayi, who smashed it home from close range to score Hull City’s first Premier League goal since 2017.
The strike held deep historical significance:
9-Year Milestone: It was Hull City’s first top-flight goal in nine years.
5-Year Personal Drought: It marked Ajayi’s first Premier League goal since January 2021 (when he netted for West Bromwich Albion against Wolverhampton Wanderers).
The Tigers maintained their intensity and doubled their advantage when Nobel Mendy powered in a header from a free-kick, handing Michael Carrick’s side a nightmare start to their 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
Ajayi anchored the defense with authority before being substituted for Paddy McNair in the 68th minute.
This heroics capped off a brilliant stretch for the 32-year-old, who was instrumental in Hull’s promotion push—playing all 90 minutes in their tense 1–0 Championship playoff final victory over Middlesbrough at Wembley.
Nathan Tella On Target as Bayer Leverkusen Breeze in DFB Pokal
Over in Germany, Nathan Tella carried his explosive preseason form into competitive action, scoring his first goal of the 2026/27 season to help Bayer Leverkusen secure a dominant 4-0 victory over Wehen Wiesbaden in the DFB Pokal.
Having already found the net in preseason friendlies against Sportfreunde Baumberg and KRC Genk, the Nigerian international came off the bench in the second half to cap off an authoritative performance by the Bundesliga side.
Match Highlights:
43′ — Patrik Schick broke the deadlock to give Leverkusen the lead just before half-time.
47′ — Lucas Vázquez doubled the advantage early in the second half.
69′ — Nathan Tella finished off a slick attacking move just nine minutes after entering the pitch to make it 3-0.
79′ — Christian Kofane rounded off the scoring to seal a comfortable 4-0 win.
Leverkusen dominated the contest with 73% possession and five shots on target to Wiesbaden’s one. While Tella starred, fellow Nigerian international Victor Boniface remained an unused substitute throughout the match.
