Battling Tigers earn impressive point at Coventry

AFTER SUMMER OF TURMOIL, JAKIROVIC CAN BE PLEASED WITH HIS SIDE'S OPENING SHOWING

- By BARRY COOPER

Hull City claimed an away-day point at promotion favourites Coventry City to kick off Sergej Jakirovic's Championship era with a battling 0-0 display on opening day.

City largely kept last season’s beaten playoff semifinalists at arm’s length and though they came under spells of pressure, restricted Frank Lampard’s side to few clear-cut chances and were value for their point.

Possibly with better decision-making in the final third, the Tigers could have tested ex-goalkeeper Carl Rushworth in between the sticks for the hosts, who did hit the bar in the second half with an effort from distance.

Against a very good, fluid side with few changes from last season, City will be pleased to have got off the mark with a clean sheet and a point on the board after a summer of yet more change on and off the field.

Jakirovic opted to hand debuts to John Lundstram, Semi Ajayi and Joel Ndala in his first Championship starting XI, while there were places on the bench for fellow summer arrivals Oliver McBurnie, Joe Gelhardt and Akin Famewo, along with Pharrell Brown, Nathan Tinsdale and Cathal McCarthy.

Backed by a raucous home support, the hosts went close inside two minutes when Tatsuhiro Sakamoto beat Ndala and found his way towards the edge of the box and angled a drive just wide of the sprawling Ivor Pandur diving away to his right.