Blackburn 0 Hull City 2: Dynamic duo on same wavelength as Tigers cruise back to the top

That is one reason why Spanish-speaking duo Abel Hernandez and Mo Diame are hitting it off up front for Hull City.

They set up each other for the second-half goals which ended the Tigers’ Ewood Park hoodoo and took them back to the top of the league above Middlesbrough, who play tonight against Leeds United at Elland Road.

Senegalese Diame played for two seasons in Spain, while Spanish is a common language in Uruguay from where his partner hails, hence their ability to converse.

Hernandez made it 17 for the season and eight in his last eight Championship games when he latched onto Diame’s deflected through ball and slotted home in the 53rd minute. Ten minutes later, he repaid the compliment, setting up his partner for a simple tap-in after drawing out goalkeeper Jed Steele once Tom Huddlestone had sprung the offside trap.

Diame said after this dominant display had given Hull their first victory at Ewood Park since 1986: “It was one of our best away, maybe, although, if I look back, the performance at Brentford was better than this one.

“We had the desire and we just fought to get the win, which was important after the defeat against Burnley because the team worked very hard then and deserved to get a draw at least. It was important we saw a reaction here and we got it.”

Of his partnership, which had been in danger of being broken up by Chuba Akpom, who spurned a great chance to make it 3-0 when coming on, Diame continued: “When you have someone who speaks your language it is easier to play and to talk to him because it is important to talk on the pitch.

“If he can’t talk English with some of the players it is important he can talk Spanish with me. It makes it easier for him. I like playing with him. He’s a very good player and has shown his qualities this season and has deserved it. He had a very hard season last year as it was very difficult for him when he started in the English league.

“He is confident and that is very important because it makes everything easier. He needs to keep going, keep working and he will score more goals I think.”

Manager Steve Bruce said of the duo: “They’re a fantastic foil for one another. They speak the language and enjoy playing with each other. That second goal was a little bit of class from Abel because he quite easily could have stuck it away himself but he made sure by giving it to Diame. That showed the respect they’ve got for each other.

“Abel still can’t speak the language and I’m not sure he ever will but if he keeps scoring like he is, we’ve got a centre-forward that’s bang on for 20 goals. Let’s hope in the run-in, that’s what he can do.”

Diame is confident the Tigers can maintain an automatic promotion position. “It’s very important to be back top of the league. It is the place we want to be and we will do everything to try and stay there.

“We need to keep fighting as there are 16 games left and they are going to be coming fast every Tuesday and Saturday so we have to stay in there and fight for every single game and keep going.”

Hull now have a squad with cover in every position and everyone is fit, although Bruce made just one change.

It proved key, however, as Huddlestone dictated play from central midfield, spraying passes to the unguarded flanks as Rovers employed a tight diamond midfield formation.

The hosts were not helped by the late withdrawals of captain Grant Hanley (shoulder), former Tigers loanee striker Danny Graham (hamstring) and Hope Akpan, who fell ill during the warm-up, but the three dangerous attempts they got in on goal were ably dealt with by Allan McGregor.

Of the run-in, Bruce continued: “We’ve got 16 games to go and we’re top of the league. Let’s hope we can improve and get better because I still think we’ve got a bit in the tank yet.”

Blackburn Rovers: Steele, Marshall, Duffy, Ward, Spurr; Evans; Lenihan, Conway; Gomez; Watt (Brown 56), Jackson (Bennett 74). Unused substitutes: Raya, Henley, Kilgallon, Taylor.

Hull City: McGregor, Odubajo, Dawson, Davies, Robertson; Snodgrass (Elmohamady 81), Livermore, Huddlestone, Clucas; Hernandez (Akpom 76), Diame (Meyler 86). Unused substitutes: Jakupovic, Maguire, Hayden, Diomande.

Referee: O Langford (West Midlands).

Man of the match: Tom Huddlestone.