Lucas Herrington, an Australian teenager, has made an electrifying debut in the Premier League, stepping in from the sidelines to secure a memorable 2-0 victory for Hull City against Manchester United.
The 18-year-old, representing Australia as the sole player in England’s top tier, was thrust into action when starting defender Nobel Mendy suffered an injury in the 64th minute.
Despite being the record $33 million Australian signing, Herrington delivered a flawless performance, aiding Hull in securing their first league win over United in more than half a century.
Widely dismissed as top candidates for relegation—with former England international Joe Cole ruffling feathers by declaring “Hull are gone, man”—Hull City surprised spectators with an impressive win over United, who showed lethargic build-up and lacked sharpness in their attack.
Earlier in the match, Nobel Mendy, who was signed alongside Herrington earlier in the month and chosen to start over the young Australian, netted Hull’s second goal in the 38th minute.
It inspired the inevitable chant around the MKM Stadium: “Are you watching, Joe Cole?!”
By that time, Michael Carrick’s United were already struggling to get to grips with a side that deservedly led through a couple of first-half set-pieces.
Centre-back Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the 17th minute when United failed to deal with a corner, and then Regan Slater whipped in a 38th-minute free-kick that another central defender, Mendy, latched onto, nodding home expertly.
But when Mendy had to come off injured in the 64th minute, Herrington, a record $33 million signing for an Australian player, got his big moment, the former Colorado Rapids defender coming on in a triple substitution.
He became the first Aussie teenager to play in the Premier League since Harry Kewell and, at 18 years 351 days, is the third-youngest Aussie to play in England’s top flight.
The youngster with a big reputation for his calmness never looked fazed as United tried to eke their way back into the match with a series of largely lumbering attacks.
He only had nine touches amid United’s huff-and-puff, but they all told of a lad who already seems at home in this elevated company.
With Hull’s Bosnian boss Sergej Jakirovic revealing that Ajayi, Mendy and captain Lewis Coyle will all have to be assessed for their injuries over the next 24 hours, Herrington will next be in line to feature in Wednesday AEST’s League Cup tie at Championship side Stoke.
Then he may well feature in their next league game, a huge one at also-promoted Coventry, who lost their opener on Friday 3-0 at champions Arsenal.