Debut goals from Hull pair Abel Hernandez and Mohamed Diame were only good enough for a 2-2 draw against West Ham as a Curtis Davies own-goal ensured the spoils were shared in a breathless encounter at the KC Stadium.
The home side lost the lead twice, club record signing Hernandez getting the ball rolling with an impeccable first-half header and Diame restoring the advantage against the side he left on transfer deadline day.
In between Enner Valencia had marked his first league start with a blockbuster strike from 25 yards and the 2-2 draw was settled when Diafra Sakho’s modest shot evaded Allan McGregor, only for Davies to bundle over his own line.
Valencia almost won it in added time when his header rebounded off Dawson’s shoulder and rattled the crossbar, but that might have been harsh on the home side.
Hull can be particularly pleased with the contribution of Hernandez, who also clattered the woodwork in a display that looked a good down payment on the £9.5 million sent Palermo’s way, while Diame was desperate to impress against his former employers.
West Ham, meanwhile, can rightly be enthused by the forward pairing of Diafra and Valencia, who showed real understanding on their first outing together.
Next fixtures
Saturday: 13.45 QPR vs Stoke. 16.00 Aston Villa vs Arsenal; Burnley vs Sunderland; Newcastle United vs Hull City; Swansea City vs Southampton. 18.30 West Ham vs Liverpool.
Sunday: 14.30 Leicester vs Man. Utd; Tottenham vs WBA. 17.00 Everton vs C. Palace; Man. City vs Chelsea.
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Chelsea | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 6 | 12 |
| Aston Villa | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 10 |
| Swansea | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 9 |
| Southampton | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 7 |
| Man. City | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 7 |
| Tottenham | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
| Arsenal | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Liverpool | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| Man. United | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 5 |
| Hull City | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Everton | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 5 |
| Leicester City | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| West Ham | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 4 |
| Stoke City | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Sunderland | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
| QPR | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 3 |
| C. Palace | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 2 |
| Burnley | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| West Brom | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 2 |
| Newcastle | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 2 |