Hull survive despite United defeat

May 25, 2009

HULL (AFP) – Hull City avoided relegation from the Premier League despite losing 1-0 to an under-strength Manchester United on Sunday as Newcastle’s defeat kept the Tigers out of the bottom three.

Phil Brown’s side knew a victory would secure their safety whatever the results elsewhere, but Darron Gibson’s stunning first half strike at the KC Stadium put the pressure on.

It could have been enough to condemn Hull to the Championship but, despite winning just two of their last 29 games, they avoided the drop after Newcastle lost at Aston Villa, while Middlesbrough crashed at West Ham.

Never had a team sheet been so eagerly anticipated all season considering all the speculation surrounding who United boss Sir Alex Ferguson would pick.

There was little doubt Ferguson named a weakened team, irrespective of the fact the visitors side still contained six full internationals, including the experienced duo of Gary Neville and Wes Brown in defence, while Nani returned to midfield and Federico Macheda was given a rare start in attack alongside Danny Welbeck.

Brown must have have been relieved not to see the name of Rio Ferdinand, however. The England centre back has been struggling to overcome a calf problem and had been expected to be involved, but he was left out altogether to raise doubts about his participation in this week’s Champions League final against Barcelona.

Ferguson also handed a debut to defender Ritchie De Laet. The Belgium-born left back whose only previous action this season had been three games for Wrexham in the Conference.

Darren Fletcher, ineligible for the final in Rome, was made captain. Hull, meanwhile, had no such luxury.

Brown named the same team which earned a crucial draw at Bolton Wanderers, with the exception of Dean Marney coming in for Manucho, who was ineligible due to the terms of his loan move from Old Trafford.

Hull made a bright start and looked to take the initiative, but Craig Fagan failed to control Michael Turner’s long pass with just Tomasz Kuszczak to beat before Fagan narrowly missed a dangerous cross from Geovanni.

It took United a while to get into their stride but once they did a goal seemed inevitable. Nani tested Bo Myhill with a free kick before De Laet missed Rafael Da Silva’s cross by inches.

The breakthrough came in stunning fashion on 24 minutes when Gibson rifled an unstoppable drive past Myhill and into the top corner to stun home fans into silence.

Brown’s men could have fallen further behind but Macheda failed to convert Lee Martin’s cross a minute later before Welbeck burst past four defenders on a 60 metre run only to drag his shot wide.

Macheda followed suit two minutes later as the home defence threatened to crumble.

Andy Dawson drew a fine save from Kuszczak and Neville almost headed into his own goal but it looked increasingly likely that Hull’s fate would be decided at Villa Park, where the news was good.

Nick Barmby saw his header from a tight angle well blocked by Kuszczak as Hull looked to launch the kitchen sink at United’s defence and snatch the goal that would mean they were not reliant on events elsewhere.

It wasn’t to be but it didn’t matter as Villa handed them one of the biggest favours possible.

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