Taiwo Awoniyi rues missed chances as Hull City punish Coventry

Taiwo Awoniyi admitted Coventry City must take responsibility for failing to convert their opportunities after Hull City scored a late winner at the Coventry Building Society Arena on 31 August 2026.

The striker was one of Coventry’s most effective players but could not find the decisive finish as Hull City claimed a 1-0 victory through Liam Millar’s goal eight minutes from time.

Awoniyi, who joined Coventry from Nottingham Forest earlier this month in a £9m transfer, had several opportunities to score his first Premier League goal for the club.

Hull City goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis was central to Coventry’s frustration, producing a series of important saves to deny the former Forest forward. Awoniyi came particularly close from inside the area, but was unable to make the required contact from close range.

Coventry controlled possession for long spells and appeared capable of earning their first league points of the season. Their dominance ultimately counted for little, however, as Hull City broke quickly on the counter-attack and Millar finished to secure all three points for the visitors.

Awoniyi accepted that Coventry had not made enough of their chances and said the result was a consequence of allowing Hull City to exploit the space in transition.

“We did quite well in terms of having the ball, but unfortunately, they had that great counterattack, and they took their chance,” Awoniyi said, as quoted by Pulse Sports Nigeria.

“It is on us to take our chances as well.”

The Nigeria international also praised Tzolakis, describing the Hull City goalkeeper’s performance as brilliant after the Greek goalkeeper repeatedly kept Coventry at bay.

Awoniyi’s Premier League campaign with Coventry is yet to produce a goal, although he has already scored for the club in the Carabao Cup. He found the net in their 4-2 victory over Plymouth Argyle.

His performance against Hull City offered encouragement despite the absence of a goal, but Coventry remain without a point from their opening league fixtures. They will face an immediate test of their progress when Manchester City visit on 5 September.

Awoniyi will be hoping to turn his promising displays into goals against the reigning challenge of Manchester City and help Frank Lampard’s side get their Premier League campaign under way.

The defeat was particularly costly because Coventry had created enough openings to take control of the match, only for Hull City to make the most of one decisive break late on. For Awoniyi, the priority now is to improve in front of goal while maintaining the threat he posed throughout the contest.