DANNY Graham believes Hull City can follow in the footsteps of former club Swansea City and spring an almighty surprise by beating Chelsea tomorrow.
Steve Bruce's side are just a day away from only their third season of top-flight football and begin as the unfancied guests to Jose Mourinho's homecoming party at Stamford Bridge.
City are rank outsiders for the upset, but Graham is drawing on inspiration from last season ahead of his Tigers debut.
The forward, signed on loan from Sunderland last month, was on the score-sheet when Swansea beat Chelsea 2-0 in the League Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge in January and knows what it will take to get City off to a winning start.
"With Jose Mourinho coming back, it's going to be one of the toughest starts possible. They're a great team and it's going to be tough, but we've got to worry about ourselves," Graham told the Mail.
"We'll be massive underdogs, but we'll go there with no fear and play our game. We can certainly cause an upset.
"All the expectations will be on them. Their supporters will be expecting them to win the league with Mourinho back there, but that brings pressure on them.
"I scored there in one of my last games for Swansea in the League Cup semi-final.
"I managed to get a goal in the last minute there and I'd definitely take that result again."
Graham can prepare for the opening weekend buoyed by his first goal in City colours.
The centre-forward, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Monday, opened the scoring in the Tigers' 3-0 win over Real Betis at the weekend and ensured pre-season ended on a high.
After seeing fellow new boy Yannick Sagbo on target seven days earlier against Dynamo Dresden, Graham has given Bruce a timely reminder in the battle to lead City's attack.
Graham said: "It's healthy to have that competition.
"It's a long, old season and we need as many players as we can in all different positions.
"If one player goes off the boil for a couple of weeks, you've got another one to come straight in. It's a team game.
"We won't be fighting each other for the place but I'm sure we'd both love the start.
"Come the big kick-off at Chelsea, all that matters is getting off to a good start, no matter who is playing.
"I'm confident the goals will come for me. They've come before in the Premier League and I'm sure they will again."
City's 4-3-3 shape is one familiar to Graham after his time leading the line for Swansea and while his own position is not yet guaranteed, the striker has endorsed Bruce's tactical shift.
"I think it's working for us as a team," he added. "We've created a lot more chances over the last few games and worked on it in training, doing a lot of shape work. It's coming along nicely. It's a shape I played before at Swansea so I'm familiar with it, but I'm sure Yannick is too."
