Hull 1-0 Swansea: Tigers near safety after Boyd's bullet header sinks Swans

MATCH ZONE CLICK HERE for your ultimate stats package from the KC Stadium, including the move that led to George Boyd's goal.

Steve Bruce can now look forward to his team’s FA Cup semi-final date against Sheffield United at Wembley next weekend, but for the Hull manager these priceless three points meant Premier League safety, first.

If privately he is celebrating, his public stance was … 'It would take a huge turnaround to affect us but we can’t take anything for granted.'

But Bruce did yield: 'We’ve come a long way and this was a good win before the semi-final. The game plan was to go up against Swansea and prevent them passing the ball around and we did that. We did enough to win.'

George Boyd, whose image was tainted when he was red-carded for spitting at Joe Hart, returned from his subsequent three-match ban, to put the Tigers in the victory mood following a worrying sequence of four losses in five league matches.



On target: George Bodys leaps to head Hull City into the lead

Match facts

Hull City (4-4-2): Harper 7.5; Rosenior 7, Chester 7.5, Davies 8, Figueroa 6 (Koren 75, 6); Elmohamady 7, Livermore 6.5, Meyler 7, Boyd 7; Jelavic 6.5 (Sagbo 90), Long 6.5 (Aluko 64, 6.5).

Subs not used: Bruce, Fryatt, Quinn, Jakupovic. Bruce: 7 Swansea City (4-3-3): Vorm 7; Rangel 6.5, Chico 7, Williams 6.5, Davies 6.5; Routledge 6.5, Shelvey 7, Britton 6 (Lita 83); De Guzman 4.5 (Dyer 46, 6.5), Michu 5 (Hernandez 66, 6.5), Bony 5.5.

Subs not used: Amat, Taylor, Canas, Tremmel.

Booked: Shelvey, Hernandez. Monk 6 Referee: Howard Webb 7. Man of the match: Curtis Davies

*Player ratings by COLIN YOUNG at KC Stadium



The midfielder punished poor defending by Angel Rangel head what turned out to be the winning goal in the 39th minute, climbing higher than the Swansea defender to meet a high cross from Liam Rosenior.

'It was a poor defending and Angel should have done better,' observed Swansea head coach Garry Monk. 'But I felt it was a poor game generally. We didn’t compete in the first half and were only marginally better in the second.

'After two good results, it wasn’t what I expected.'

It was the first time in their 55-Premier League match record at the KC Stadium that Hull have managed to win back-to-back home games and it maintained the Welsh club’s luckless travels to Humberside where they have now lost on five of their last six visits. It also meant they have now gone 11 away games without winning.

If the three points virtually ensured Hull’s Premier League status, it was no more than they deserved against mediocre opposition who, apart from a flurry of second half pressure, rarely tested the home defence.



But if Steve Harper was seldom out of his comfort zone as the former long-serving Newcastle reserve team 'keeper contemplates an unexpected Wembley appearance in the twilight of his career, opposite number Michel Vorm was busier dealing with several Hull efforts, particularly when he pushed a ninth minute volley from Shane Long around a post.

No doubt Harper will make the most of the extended absence of Allan McGregor, expected to leave hospital this weekend after suffering kidney damage during the recent game against West Ham, but struggling to return this season.

Smasher: Hull City's George Boyd scores first goal past goalkeeper Michel Vorm

Delight: George Boyd celebrates with team-mates after scoring the opening goal Pointing the way: Hull City manager Steve Bruce With Wembley in mind Bruce had exercised caution in his team selection, resting playmaker Tom Huddlestone due to a slight back strain. Alex Bruce also missed out with Boyd and Maynor Figueroa slotting into a switched 4-4-2 formation. Swansea showed no change from the team that beat Norwich 3-0 last weekend. Hull's fans were in full voice from the first whistle and would have had an early goal to shout about too, but for Michel Vorm's quick reflexes. Tussle: Hull City's Curtis Davies, right, and Swansea City's Wilfried Bony battle for the ball Safe: Hull owner Assem Allam can look forward to another season in Premier League Thumbs up: A Hull fan wearing a Steve Bruce mask Sitting pretty: Is that Steve Bruce in disguise? DISTANCE COVERED STATS MINS PLD KM MILES Hull - total 109.4 68.0 George Boyd 90 12.4 7.7 David Meyler 90 11.8 7.4

Jake Livermore 90 11.4 7.1

Swansea - total 104.9 65.2 Angel Rangel 90 10.9 6.8

Chico Flores 90 10.4 6.5

Wayne Routledge 90 10.2 6.3



Data courtesy of EA SPORTS, Official Sports Technology Partner of the Premier League Shane Long ran on to Figueroa's perfectly-weighted cross to the back post only for Vorm to turn his side-footed volley wide. Hull had most of the initial possession but Swansea were a threat on the break and Jonathan De Guzman should have at least tested home goalkeeper Steve Harper when released on goal. The midfielder ran 30 yards unchecked into the area before cutting inside his marker, but delayed his shot and allowed Hull's back-tracking defence to block. Wayne Routledge then failed to get enough elevation on a lobbed shot when he got to a through-ball before Harper. Hull's attacks were more sustained, although they were forced to the flanks to try and break down Swansea's rearguard. Curtis Davies headed an Ahmed Elmohamady cross wide while Long lost a Boyd centre in the sun when in space at the back post. Hull's perseverance paid off after 39 minutes, thanks to a lovely Liam Rosenior cross from the right. His delivery to the back post was set-up for Boyd to jump over a static Angel Rangel and the Hull midfielder did so easily before directing his header back across Vorm. Swansea were brighter after half-time and Hull needed to be awake to cut out deft passes in behind first from Routledge and then Wilfried Bony. When Swansea turned to the flanks Davies won everything in the air. The away side's increasing grip on the game forced Bruce to reinforce midfield with Sone Aluko dropping deeper after coming on for Long just after the hour. Grounded: Hull City's Maynor Figueroa tackles Swansea City's Jonathan de Guzman High jump: Swansea defender Ashley Williams challenges Shane Long of Hull City Brave: Hull keeper Steve Harper saves at the feet of Swansea striker Wilfried Bony Decision: Swansea City's Jonjo Shelvey (right) speaks to referee Howard Webb Close up: Hull City's Shane Long has a shot on goal Still Swansea threatened and Jonjo Shelvey shot straight at Harper, who momentarily spilled the low shot with Routledge lurking. Routledge then outmuscled Figueroa and played a pass across for Nathan Dyer who screwed his shot horribly when he had plenty of time. Hull's attacks were at a premium so when Jelavic blazed a free-kick high over the groans from home support were audible. Bony stabbed over when Shelvey played him behind the defence and then was almost given a tap-in by some hap-hazard home defending only for Harper to recover the loose ball. It was hardly a convincing way to sign off before their FA Cup venture, but the Tigers at least held on to head to London in a winning mood.



