Hull City 2-0 Swansea City: Shota Arveladze era begins with comfortable win

Tom Eaves stretches to touch in his third goal of the season

Shota Arveladze's Hull City reign began with a comfortable victory over Swansea City thanks to goals from Tom Eaves and Keane Lewis-Potter.

Hull took charge of the contest early on as Eaves stretched to poke home.

Lewis-Potter, a reported target for Brentford, then steered in from close range as the Tigers took advantage of some sorry Swansea defending.

It was the perfect start for Arveladze, as Hull claimed a third straight Championship win to climb to 18th.

In truth they did not need to do much to break down a lacklustre Swansea, though Russell Martin's team did improve significantly after the break and hit the woodwork through Michael Obafemi and Liam Walsh.

Swansea stay 17th after their first defeat in four league games, ahead of Hull in the table on goals scored.

Former Rangers striker Arveladze took his place on the touchline just 48 hours after being appointed by new Hull owner Acun Ilicali, who had sacked Grant McCann on Tuesday.

McCann was dismissed despite leading Hull to victories over promotion contenders Blackburn and Bournemouth in what proved to be his last two games in charge.

Arveladze did not alter much - Brandon Fleming was recalled in the one switch to the side which started Bournemouth - as Hull looked to maintain the momentum brought by a change of ownership and a couple of fine results.

They needed only five minutes to score the first goal of the new era.

Swansea were opened up all too easily, with Fleming finding space down the left and crossing low for Eaves to steer the ball inside the near post.

Arveladze's dream opening continued when Di'Shon Bernard made ground down the opposite flank before George Honeyman's deep cross picked out Lewis-Potter at the far post.

With Swansea's rearguard nowhere to be seen once more, Lewis-Potter accepted the invitation to steer a shot past a helpless Ben Hamer.

The visitors improved marginally before half-time, but Russell Martin needed much more from his players in the second period.

Hull might have been out of sight before the hour mark had Richie Smallwood not blazed over after Hamer could only parry Ryan Longman's cross.

Swansea at least offered a threat as the contest wore on, with Obafemi - one of two substitutes at the break - coming close when his left-foot volley was pushed onto the post by Nathan Baxter.

Former Rangers player Shota Arveladze enjoyed his first matchday having returned to British football as Hull boss

Lewis-Potter then wasted a chance on a Hull counter, slicing a shot wide, before Liam Walsh's sweet free-kick flew over the wall and beat Baxter only to hit the same upright struck by Obafemi.

The rebound flew quickly to Piroe, who could only shoot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Piroe did find the net in stoppage time, but a tight offside call meant Hull could celebrate a third successive clean sheet as well as a debut triumph for Arveladze.

Hull head coach Shota Arveladze:

"It feels really great. I will not mention many things which I will try to improve.

"But I have to say thank you to the boys. Absolutely brilliant. The character and the discipline they showed, they did not stop going.

"Until 94 minutes, the boys looked like they had just kicked off. That makes me very happy.

"Second half we dropped back a bit but don't forget we play against the team who holds the ball longer, they keep the ball very well."

Swansea head coach Russell Martin:

"We beat ourselves in the first 15-20 minutes. We go away from really important details that have got us two clean sheets in the last two games. That cost us.

"After that the first half was difficult. Second half I really liked us, we should score. We had better chances than them. The boys were great in the second half - Ben Cabango was outstanding.

"I think it just highlights what we need before Monday night - the guys at the top end of the pitch need a bit of help. We have to be more clinical and more ruthless.

"There was a lack of energy in the first 20 minutes. Hull hadn't played on Tuesday and we did. We have gone from no games in five weeks to four in two weeks, and it took its toll on some players today."

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