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Hull's victory was their fifth at home since Marco Silva took over in January

Hull City climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time since October as they came from behind to earn a crucial victory against relegation rivals Middlesbrough.

Their win, coupled with Tottenham's dramatic late turn-around against Swansea, means Marco Silva's side move to 17th, two points ahead of the Swans.

Alvaro Negredo put Middlesbrough ahead at the KCOM Stadium in just the fifth minute, sliding in to convert Adama Traore's cross.

But Hull - who were excellent throughout - equalised nine minutes later when Lazar Markovic scrambled the ball home following Andrew Robertson's deflected cross.

The Tigers were then ahead on the 27th minute when Oumar Niasse coolly finished from Abel Hernandez's headed knock-down.

Six minutes later Hernandez scored Hull's third, side-footing home from Kamil Grosicki's cross before Boro controversially pulled a goal back minutes before half-time.

Ben Gibson directed a corner towards goal and Marten de Roon headed home from an offside position inside the six-yard box.

Hull were not put off however, controlling much of the second half, and scored their fourth when Harry Maguire powerfully headed in a Robertson free-kick.

Defeat for Middlesbrough leaves them 19th seven points from safety with eight games remaining.

Middlesbrough have a game in hand on the teams above them but are seven points adrift with Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Southampton to come in their eight remaining games

Home form leads Hull revival under Silva

Hull were bottom when Marco Silva took over in January but now a fifth win under the Portuguese takes them out of the drop zone.

All five of those wins have come at the KCOM Stadium where Silva has taken 16 points from a possible 18.

The Hull boss also stretched his unbeaten home record to 40 games, a run that includes his time at former clubs Estoril, Sporting Lisbon and Olympiakos.

Hull played fluently throughout, having 17 shots on goal, with Silva labelling it their best performance since his arrival at the club.

The Tigers four-man midfield plus starting strikers Oumar Niasse and Abel Hernandez all impressed while the team also reacted well to Middlesbrough's two goals - one early and one controversial - when other teams could have crumbled.

Goals come for Boro but defensive mistakes cost them

Middlesbrough were carved open by Maguire's (number five) defence-splitting pass from inside his own half before Grosicki (17) passed to Hernandez (nine) to score Hull's third

Middlesbrough have struggled to score throughout the season on their return to the Premier League and looked to place greater emphasis on attack when Agnew replaced Aitor Karanka as manager last month.

Strikers Rudy Gestede and Alvaro Negredo both started against Hull and Agnew was rewarded with two goals in a game for the first time since December.

However, that resulted in his team being more open at the back.

Ben Gibson has impressed this campaign - recently earning his first England call-up - but was at fault for Hull's first and second goals after failing to clear.

The Middlesbrough defence was then cut open by just two passes for the home side's third when Maguire's pass from deep played in Kamil Grosicki and then the Pole squared for Hernandez to score.

Hull's fourth was also simple, with Harry Maguire allowed to head home unchallenged from a set piece.

Four goals is the most Boro have conceded this season and stretches their winless run to 13 games.

Man of the match - Marco Silva

Whether or not Hull go on to survive, Marco Silva is doing a remarkable job. He has taken Hull from 20th to out of the bottom three, is unbeaten at home with five wins and the victory against Middlesbrough came with goals from two of his January signings (Markovic and Niasse).

'Nothing finished yet' - manager reaction

Hull reaction pleases Silva

Hull boss Marco Silva: "We started very well and strong with good intensity which caused problems for the opponents. The first time they attacked they scored and afterwards we reacted fantastic.

"We controlled the game and showed focus in our back line after one bad decision for the second goal. The opponents got back into game, it was not easy for our players, but we then controlled the second half and I don't remember one shot on our goal.

"When I came things were not good, the atmosphere was not the best and many people don't believe. If you don't believe, it is impossible. Today was a good day but nothing is finished today."

Boro changing room silent after defeat - Agnew

Middlesbrough head coach Steve Agnew: "I am bitterly disappointed and everyone is.

"It is not the result we wanted. To score the goal early on, from that we got carried away with the emotions of the game and we were poor defensively - everyone takes responsibility for that.

"It was a big game and we have got to find a balance between scoring goals and staying solid at the back.

"We had more chances and got goals but we are disappointed, as a team the defensive formation let us down."

Asked about his team's survival chances, Agnew said: "We have to be realistic. We have a huge challenge and the players will never give in. We have eight games left."

Hull comeback kings - the best stats

Marco Silva is unbeaten in his last 40 home matches as manager in league competition (won 33, drew seven, lost none) - a run stretching over three years.

Indeed, Hull are now unbeaten in seven Premier League home games - their longest ever such run in the competition.

Middlesbrough scored more goals in the opening 45 minutes of this match than they had in their previous eight away Premier League matches combined.

Abel Hernandez scored and assisted a goal in the same Premier League match for the first time.

Oumar Niasse has scored five goals in his last six games at the KCOM Stadium in all competitions, with Hull winning on each occasion.

Alvaro Negredo has been involved in 60% of Middlesbrough's 10 away goals in the Premier League this season (three goals, three assists).

Four of Hull's last six Premier League wins have been from behind. Indeed, they have won back-to-back top-flight games from behind for the first time.

No Premier League match this season has seen more first-half goals than this fixture (five, level with Crystal Palace v Liverpool).

What's next?

Middlesbrough host Burnley in a crucial game on Saturday while Hull travel to Manchester City the same day (both 15:00 BST kick-offs).