Lampard's Coventry, O'Neil's Ipswich and Hull: how the promoted clubs are faring
One ended a 25-year wait, one is quietly picking up points and one made the brightest start of all. Six games in, here is where the newcomers stand.
Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City came up together this summer, and six matchweeks in, all three have already had moments to remember. The usual warning applies — promoted clubs rarely have it easy after the autumn — but none of them looks out of its depth.
Coventry: a long-awaited win
Coventry are back in the top flight for the first time in 25 years, and the opening weeks were brutal. Frank Lampard's side lost four league games in a row, including a 5–0 home defeat to Brighton in September.
Then came the result that changed the mood: Coventry beat Newcastle 4–1 for their first home Premier League win in 25 years. They travel to Tottenham on Monday night — a Spurs side still looking for their first league win of the season.
Ipswich: steady under O'Neil
Ipswich bounced straight back after relegation, and Gary O'Neil, who replaced Kieran McKenna in June, has made them hard to beat. They have nine points from six games, including a win over Fulham secured with a stoppage-time goal.
Their record against the elite is the concern: they have conceded 11 goals in three defeats to top-six opposition across all competitions. Saturday's trip to Manchester City is the toughest test yet.
Hull: fast start, then a wobble
Hull City, back after nine years away, made the best start of the three. They were in the top half in September, and Sergej Jakirović was named Premier League Manager of the Month for August.
Recent weeks have been harder. Hull have gone four league games without a win and have conceded twice in each of their last three. Saturday's trip to Fulham — who are still looking for their first league win — is a good chance to get back on track.
The early verdict
Promoted sides often take time to adjust to the pace of the Premier League, and the real test comes over the winter. For now, all three have shown they can compete, and with several established clubs struggling, survival looks very much within reach.
