Sergej Jakirovic was honest about the Premier League level as Hull City lost their unbeaten run.
The Tigers have taken three points off Manchester United in a 2-0 win, spoiled the return of top-flight football to Coventry City with a 1-0 victory in their opening bow at the CBS Arena, and also taken two points off Chelsea in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. But they finally must taste defeat.
·‘We lose this game in the first half’
Joe Willock and Lewis Hall established an early two-goal lead for the Toon at St. James’ Park, and a goal from Mohamed Ali-Cho in the second half was not enough to leave Tyneside with anything.
“This is the level; it’s a very high level of players, and they have individual quality to punish you.
“I’m very proud of how we played, especially in the second half. I’m aware that maybe we lost this game in the first half, in the first 10 minutes.
“That was not our plan; we made some mistakes, especially the first goal. We are in full defence there so we can control the space better. The second goal is a clear mistake because they’re just waiting; it was a trigger to play in midfield, they press you, and they’re very clinical in counter-attack.
“At half-time, we agreed that we would push more, more pressing, more front foot, also to win the first and second ball in challenges because we were very poor in the first half. I think the substitutions brought a lot of energy and quality, and we had some nice chances, but we couldn’t put it in the net.
“In one year and a couple of months, we showed we will never surrender; we have a good mentality, a good character, and we will play to the end. Unfortunately, we just miss the goals.”
