Hull always knew, sooner or later, they would lose a Premier League game, but no one can say they did not do everything in their power to try to delay that inaugural top-tier defeat.
After conceding two goals in the opening seven minutes, Hull could easily have folded but they are made of sterner stuff than that. Tellingly, they also sensed the inherent fragility of a gifted, but injury-hit and extremely youthful Newcastle.
