Coventry held to goalless draw by Hull in opener

Coventry and Hull were separated by 16 places in the Championship last season

Coventry City and Hull City had to settle for a point apiece as they played out a goalless draw in their first game of the new Championship season.

Sky Blues right-back Milan van Ewijk came closest to scoring with a shot that hit the crossbar early in the second half, but this was a result that will please the Tigers more.

Hull only avoided relegation on goal difference on the final day of last season and have had a summer of change with Bosnian Sergej Jakirovic replacing Ruben Selles as boss.

Although they did not look like picking up three points at the CBS Arena, and saw Regan Slater glance a header wide with their best chance, Jakirovic will be pleased with how his new team acquitted themselves.

What was the main talking point?

Coventry have become the Championship's 'nearly team' over the last few seasons.

Each of their last three campaigns has ended in heartbreak, with a play-off final defeat in 2023 against Luton Town, the penalty shoot-out loss to Manchester United in the 2024 FA Cup semi-final and then the last-gasp play-off agony to Sunderland in May.

Nine starters here were involved in that cruel finish at the Stadium of Light when Dan Ballard's injury-time header took the Black Cats to Wembley, as the Sky Blues attempt to use that sense of hurt to power them on this campaign.

Only goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, was making his debut so they will hope their continuity can help them in a division surrounded by sides trying to rebuild with new bosses and new players.

They picked up 35 points from their 15 home games under Lampard as the basis for their play-off push but they will feel this was two points dropped.

If they want to make a concerted promotion push, they need a better start than in those three previous years when they have been playing catch-up almost from the off.

But for the fourth season in a row, they failed to win their opening game.

Who stood out?

It is perhaps no surprise that no player has flourished more for the Sky Blues under Frank Lampard than Jack Rudoni.

There were few better attacking midfielders than Lampard in his playing days and after he took over, Rudoni netted eight goals in 30 games.

The 24-year-old is reportedly attracting interest from other clubs and he was a real danger to Hull, getting into good positions in the area, particularly in the first half.

He had one effort blocked by some fine defending from Tigers captain Charlie Hughes and headed one straight at Ivor Pandur as he could not quite find a route to goal.

What's next?

It's a quick turnaround for both teams ahead of first round games in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Coventry welcome League One Luton Town while Hull City travel to Wrexham in an all-Championship tie (both ko 19:45 BST).

What the managers said

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard told BBC CWR:

"I'm disappointed not to win the game. I'm happy with a clean sheet. I thought we were the better team and deserved it, we had a lot of control of the game and played in their half a lot.

"Maybe as the first game there was a lack of 5% at the top end of the pitch.

"We looked like us, we played like us but we didn't have that little extra. That's probably the difference as otherwise we probably win that game."

Hull City head Sergej Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside:

"I'm very happy with the point, especially the beginning of the season when you never know where you are after the preparation.

"It's very confident for the boys to see they can play against favourites as Coventry, for me, is in the top five in this league.

"It's a very promising point for us."