Hull City 2 Derby County 0: New boys provide lift for Tigers

The Tigers beat Swansea 2-0 on August 7 and emulated that scoreline against Derby in a game which also saw former England midfield man Jimmy Bullard make his first appearance this season.

Ayala bundled home a scrappy opener from Tom Cairney's cross and Koren grabbed the second after Jay Simpson's effort was saved.

Bullard, who had not played since April as the club sought to shift his hefty wage from their precarious balance sheet, was given a warm welcome by fans, who had at times turned on him at the tailend of last season.

Ayala failed to connect cleanly with Bullard's corner, the ball flashing wide of the Spaniard's shoulder.

But the on-loan Liverpool youngster was more assured in his regular defensive role, denying Bueno a sight of goal.

Rams goalkeeper Steve Bywater denied Simpson before the hosts broke the deadlock two minutes from half-time.

Simpson and Ayala both went for Cairney's cross after good work by Craig Fagan, and it was the defender who appeared to get the final touch to send the Tigers in a goal to the good.

Nigel Clough threw on Kris Commons early in the second half and he soon threatened.

Hull's other on-loan defender, Anthony Gerrard, suffered an injury when making a bold block but the Cardiff man soon returned to the action.

Commons should have levelled and Bywater denied Simpson before Hull made the game safe. Andy Dawson and Simpson combined and, when the latter's cross-shot came back off Bywater, Koren finished from 10 yards.

Hull City: Duke, McShane, Gerrard, Ayala, Dawson, Fagan, Koren, Cairney, Bostock (Garcia 68), Bullard, Simpson (Cullen 90). Unused: Oxley, Ashbee, Kilbane, Atkinson, Solano.

Derby County: Bywater, Brayford, Barker, Leacock, Bueno (Pringle 70), Green, Savage, Bailey, Moxey (Doyle 82), Kuqi, Cywka (Commons 54). Unused: Deeney, Martin, O'Brien, Ball.

Referee: D Whitestone (Northants).