Tigers rip ’em apart

HULL ran riot as they began life back in the Championship.

Goals from Keane Lewis-Potter (above), Richie Smallwood, Josh Magennis and sub Andy Cannon did the damage as the Tigers recovered from Emil Riis’s early opener to claim a memorable opening-day win.

“Great credit to the players, I thought the reaction and the calmness of the group was great,” said Hull boss Grant McCann.

“It was a really good performance – once we worked them out, I thought we controlled the game. Our attitude was excellent. To come anywhere in the Championship and win is very tough, so to come here and win in the manner we did is brilliant for everyone.”

Danish hitman Riis gave the hosts the perfect start, slotting home at the back post from Tom Barkhuizen’s delicious cross.

Preston keeper Declan Rudd was forced off with a head injury before Lewis-Potter made his mark, coolly slotting into the far corner after a smart pass from Smallwood.

The visitors took the lead after Smallwood’s strike took a cruel deflection off Ben Whiteman and went in off the inside of the post.

And there was still time for Magennis to poke home at the near post before Cannon rifled home the fourth from an acute angle.

Frustrated Preston North End manager Frankie McAvoy said: “I’m absolutely gutted. We were so fragile defensively.”

PRESTON: Rudd 5 (Iversen 13, 5); Hughes 6, Lindsay 7, Storey 6; Cunningham 6 (Berg 45, 5), Ledson 6, Whiteman 6 (Johnson 70, 5), Browne 7, Barkhuizen 8; Riis 6 (Potts 45, 5), Evans 6. Unused subs: Bauer, Rodwell-Grant, Thomas.

HULL: Ingram 7; Coyle 6, Jones 6, Greaves 7, Emmanuel 6; Docherty 7, Smallwood 9; Lewis-Potter 8 (Scott 90+3), Moncur 6 (Cannon 89), Wilks 7 (Smith 80); Magennis 7 (Eaves 89).

Unused subs: Baxter, Fleming, Bernard.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Richie Smallwood. Captain fantastic set up the equaliser and also scored.

REFEREE: Gavin Ward 8.