Australia’s Lucas Herrington celebrated his 19th birthday by helping newly promoted Hull maintain their remarkable unbeaten run as new-look Manchester City overcame a spirited challenge from Coventry on Saturday to stay perfect in the Premier League, as blunt Tottenham were held to a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest.
Herrington came off the bench in the 71st minute and played his part in Hull starting the season with a third straight clean sheet.
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The Tigers played out a goalless draw with Aston Villa at their home, the MKM Stadium, with Herrington completing all fives of his passes, making one block and one tackle to repel the Villans’ advances late in the game.
It was the first time Hull have dropped points after wins against Manchester United and Coventry in their opening two games, but the Tigers and champions Arsenal, who play Chelsea at home in the early hours of Monday morning Australian time, are the only sides yet to concede a goal this campaign.
“We could have won, but they also had a few chances in the second half. We won’t be ungrateful for seven points after three games and another clean sheet. It’s a great result for us,” Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic told Sky Sports.
“Amazing! If someone offered me seven points before the start of the season, I would sign immediately!” he added when asked of his side’s incredible start to the season.
“Especially against who we have played. It is a great example for us and we have to continue like this because we have shown that we can compete at this level.”
Herrington is yet to start a Premier League match, having come off the bench in all three fixtures to date.
He did start, and was awarded player of the match, in their EFL Cup win at Stoke last month.
Hull’s next match in that competition is at Sunderland midweek with Jakirovic hinting that the Australian could play a bigger role in that match, and as the Premier League season goes on.
“I know the core of my team, this is the Championship players. Of course, we brought the players in to put some quality there. We have,” he told the BBC’s Match of the Day.
“The big problem for me is who didn’t have a pre-season. This is a very big problem. But we will try. For example on Tuesday, we will use that to give minutes and at the end, they will get a new chance.”
The Bosnian and Herzegovinian manager also made some encouraging comments when asked about Herrington in his press conference.
“For me, he is excellent. He has great potential,” Jakirovic said.
“With this experience, he will grow. So, it will be very, very good for him and a great experience for him. And also these minutes are very valuable for him.”
“I don’t have any fear when he is on the pitch,” he added.
“So, I believe in him 100%. Just stay healthy and anything is possible.”
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Sergej Jakirovic, Manager of Hull City, with Lucas Herrington of Hull City after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Hull City and Aston Villa FC at MKM Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Hull, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Herrington enjoying dream start at Hull | 02:42
Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca is now the man in the Etihad hot seat after the emotional departure of long-serving Pep Guardiola, while there has been significant churn among the playing staff.
One of the new arrivals, Enzo Fernandez, played a major part in City’s first-half goal, feeding Antoine Semenyo, who crossed for Erling Haaland to head home his third of the season.
Table-topping City have won all three of their Premier League matches ahead of next week’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
Former Chelsea boss Maresca said that teams needed “ugly moments” as well as free-flowing football after the stodgy win, in which newly promoted Coventry squandered chances.
“I really liked today for different reasons,” the Italian told the BBC. “First half we could have scored one or two more, but we worked together to win, so I am happy.
“It is difficult against teams in a low block, I felt we dealt very well with that. Anxiety from the fans is normal.
“Nine out of 10 of these games you end with bad feeling, but it is important to win 1-0.” Midfielder Fernandez arrived at the Etihad on transfer deadline day in a £125 million ($170 million) deal, which equalled the British record.
Maresca handed his former charge at Chelsea a start after Nico O’Reilly sustained an injury in the warm-up, while fellow new signing Iliman Ndiaye also made his debut for the club.
The City boss is working with a reshaped squad following several high-profile departures, including those of former Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones.
As well as Fernandez and Ndiaye, big-money arrivals include England midfielder Elliot Anderson and Morocco teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, who both featured on Saturday.
Manchester City’s Norwegian striker #09 Erling Haaland applauds the fans following the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 5, 2026. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP)Source: AFP
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– Spurs held –
Tottenham also spent heavily in the summer transfer window in a desperate effort to avoid fresh embarrassment after finishing 17th in successive seasons.
They travelled to the City Ground, after defeats to Brentford and Newcastle, to face a team that twice beat them heavily last season, and still searching for their first Premier League goal of the new campaign.
Forest had the ball in the net midway through the second half after calamitous Spurs defending, but Neco Williams’s strike was ruled out for handball following a VAR check.
The 0-0 draw means that Forest, who, like Spurs, flirted with relegation last season, are also still seeking their first win.
“Disappointed for the result but for the performance very happy, considering we started to work together last Thursday for the first time, for the first day,” Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi told Sky Sports, referring to the end of the transfer window.
He added: “If we improve in the last third I think we can score many goals because we have the players with big qualities. Now is a tough moment to accept this result because I think we played well.”
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NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 05: Omar Marmoush of Tottenham Hotspur reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Nottingham Forest FC and Tottenham Hotspur at City Ground on September 05, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Newly-promoted Hull moved into second after a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa extended their unbeaten start back in the top flight.
A new-look Villa side to the one that won the Europa League last season is yet to score in the Premier League and have had just one shot on target in three games.
Vitaly Janelt opened the scoring for high-flying Brentford against Sunderland but Enzo Le Fee levelled from the penalty spot late in the game to force a 1-1 draw.
Leeds drew 1-1 at Brighton while Tyrick Mitchell scored two goals as Crystal Palace twice came from behind to earn a 3-2 win at Fulham, with Ben Chilwell netting the winner.
In the early kick-off, Newcastle recovered from going 2-0 down to secure a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, staying unbeaten in all competitions under new manager Matthias Jaissle.
On Friday, Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool beat Ipswich 2-0 to claim their first win of the season.