Hull continued their fine start to the season, but only after they were given a scare by Sky Bet League Two Exeter.
Jake Taylor gave Exeter the lead with a stunning long-range strike, but joint Premier League leaders Hull hit back to win 3-1 with two goals from Adama Diomande and a Robert Snodgrass strike.
After a relatively even first 15 minutes, Hull came within a whisker of taking the lead when the dangerous Diomande cut in from the left wing and curled a shot against the face of the crossbar.
Exeter's Liam McAlinden then rounded Dusan Kuciak, but the Tigers' goalkeeper did well to recover and make the save.
Adama Diomande brace sends Hull past Exeter in EFL Cup
