Hull taste defeat, then delirium

RARELY has a defeat been met with such celebration as Hull City’s loss to Manchester United was at the KC Stadium, where Phil Brown’s team survived relegation from the Premier League courtesy of Newcastle United’s demise at Villa Park.

A stunning first half goal from Darron Gibson, United’s Republic of Ireland international, was more than enough to secure a triumphant finale to Alex Ferguson’s domestic campaign and leave home supporters clinging to the hope that Newcastle, their main rivals to go down, would falter in the midlands.

That they did, to guarantee Hull’s top flight status for a second season despite winning just two of their last 29 matches.