Hull City's Sergej Jakirovic takes pride in Tigers despite first Premier League defeat

Obviously losing 2-1 to Newcastle United was not part of the plan, and Hull were undone by a slack first seven minutes where they conceded goals to Joe Willock and Lewis Hall.

Konstantinos Tzolakis had to save a penalty to stop his side going in 3-0 down at the break, but the way Jakiroivc changed things, the impact of his substitutes – including goalscorer Mohamed-Ali Cho – and the spirit of the team meant it was Newcastle who were glad of the final whistle.

Newly-promoted Hull go into the three-week international break above Newcastle on goal difference, and guaranteed to be in the top half of the fledgling table regardless of other results this weekend.

"I'm very proud of how we played, especially the second half," said coach Jakirovic. "I'm aware that maybe we lost this game in the first half, in the first ten minutes, because that was not our plan.

"We made some mistakes, especially for the first goal, we had full defence there so we could control the space better.

"For the second goal, it was a clear mistake because they were just waiting, they triggered to play in the midfield, they will press you and they are very clinical in counter-attack.

"At half-time, we agreed that we will push more, more pressing, more front footed to win the first and second ball in challenges because we were very poor in the first half.

"Also, with good substitutions, I think they brought a lot of energy, a lot of quality and we had very nice chances there, we just didn't put it in the net.

"I'm always disappointed when we lose a game.

"I think that we, in the end, deserved points because of what we showed in the second half, but the game is 90 minutes, so we have to be strong for 90 minutes.

"But also I'm aware that this is a very demanding away pitch, great crowd, great atmosphere, and I'm very proud because I'm part of this, and my team showed that we can compete at this level, which is more pride for me."

Whatever Hull's shortcomings, a lack of spirit is not amongst them, and their start to the season has led some of the more dismissive pundits and opposition supporters to think twice.

"I think we showed in one year and a couple of months here (as coach) already a hundred times that we will never surrender there, we have a good mentality, good character and we will play until the end,” commented Jakirovic. "Unfortunately, we just missed goals.

"I'm very happy with the eight points, especially with the opponents that we played, but also I want more, always more, which is normal, it's about ambition, and like I said, we're looking forward and I hope with some improvement that we can play even better."

The penalty Sorba Thomas conceded when he touched the ankle of Jacob Murphy with his hands was soft, but Jakirovic refused to criticise Tony Harrington for his decision, supported by video assistant referee Peter Bankes.

"It's too far away from me and he slightly touched him, it wasn't like Rocky," said Jakirovic. "But I have trust in the referee, he was very close there, so he saw something and what we can do, we cannot change anything, it's a penalty and a good save from Tzolakis."

Brooke Norton-Cuffy missed the game with an injury picked up in training, but he is set to return in time for the second week of a fortnight's preparation for Hull's next competitive game, at home to Everton on October 11. Jakirovic has given his players the whole of next week off, and they have a friendly at home to Sheffield United on October 1.

Jakirovic and his assistant Dean Holden were both booked, and Jakirovic confronted a member of the Newcastle coaching staff on the pitch at full-time.

"One member of the (Newcastle) staff provoked Oli McBurnie and I'm there to protect him, of course, because Oli McBurnie is also an explosive guy and he could get a yellow or red card, so I have to protect my team," argued the former Bosnia player.

"I'm always speaking with my players, I don't speak with opponent players because this is my duty.

"I will be always there, no matter who is from opponent.

“(There was) some disagreement, but this is normal.

"They're standing with three, four people there (in the technical area), we're standing with three, four, but it's not that we are complaining to the referee, we are trying to give some instructions to our players.

"This is normal, I cannot see everything, so I have my staff also, but to give just my staff a yellow card without any for the Newcastle bench, I don't know, it's not fair."

Newcastle coach Matthis Jaissle admitted his side should never have left themselves vulnerable to Hull's fightback.

"I'm relieved," he admitted. "It was a tense game, like I expected.

"The start in the first half was on a really high level, the right response, the right reaction after Leeds United (a 4-1 defeat on Monday). That was something we were really focussing on.

"Usually you should have killed the game by a lead of three or four but the missed penalty changed a bit the momentum, gave them hope, and we had some tired bodies in the end on the pitch."