Hull’s transfer window arrivals help Tigers end wait for victory

The Tigers cruised to a 2-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light thanks to a goal in each half from £14m duo Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic.

Hull’s win was enough to nudge the Yorkshire side up to 11th in the Premier League.

However, with many of the sides in and around the drop zone also winning, Hull sit just four points above the relegation spots.

Bruce is the first to admit that means there is still plenty to do if the Tigers are to remain among the elite of English football beyond May.

However, the Hull chief also believes the addition of Long and Jelavic in last month’s transfer window has given his side a vital edge compared to many of the 
division’s strugglers.

He said: “I was delighted for them both. They go together really well and are really good for each other.

“We tried in the summer for Long and then just kept persevering. We kept on at him and it was a terrific moment when we finally signed Shane.

“If I am honest, I was shocked, really shocked that we got Shane because I thought we would have more competition. The kid, though, wanted to come to us.

“Both Long and Jelavic will help us, not just as players but also because of the work-rate they show and the attitude they have got.

“Jelavic could have scored six or seven in his first four games. He has hit the post three times now. You hope when he gets a goal he gets more.

“I have always said you are only as good as your strikers and those two are very good for us, especially as we are a newly promoted side.”

Hull’s win on Wearside was one of several good results for the county this weekend with Leeds United putting another traumatic week off the field behind them with a 2-1 win at Yeovil Town.

Sheffield Wednesday also claimed an impressive victory on the road – 2-0 at promotion-chasing Reading – as Huddersfield Town ended a four-game losing run with a 1-0 triumph at home to FA Cup holders Wigan Athletic.

In League One, Sheffield United moved up a couple of places thanks to a 2-0 home win against Shrewsbury Town while the most eventful game of the day involving a White Rose side came at Valley Parade as Bradford City fought back from 2-0 down to draw 3-3.

For Bruce, Hull’s win at Sunderland was a personal triumph. Sacked by the Black Cats in November, 2012, the Hull manager was jeered by a section of the home support on Saturday.

“We have done the double over Sunderland,” he said. “I don’t know if it draws a line under my time there or not.

“But there will be more managers sacked here and I won’t be the last. People can have a look at what we did and in a few years’ time they might think we didn’t do too badly. The main thing for me is that we got our first win in a while. It is so tight in the Premier League. I have certainly never known anything like this.

“We are 11th and yet just four points ahead of the bottom three. Normally, one or two teams are adrift by now.

“It is making for an exciting division. There are fine margins between us all at the bottom.

“To be fair to Sunderland, what they have done in the last few weeks is remarkable.

“Everyone thought they were gone. But they have bounced back.

“Mind, I always thought we had a chance. Sunderland were flying. But, in my experience, with Sunderland there is always something around the corner.

“Okay, they win the derby 3-0 and get to a cup final. But what’s going to happen next? Is that typical Sunderland. Is that the history of Sunderland? Can I say that?”

Wes Brown’s early red card for a professional foul on Long was, Bruce admitted, a major factor in his side being able to dominate proceedings.

The Tigers manager said: “Make no mistake we were helped by playing against 10 men.

“It allowed us to get Tom Huddlestone on the ball. When you give him the space like he had against Sunderland, he is dangerous. I thought he gave a master class.

“He is a wonderful midfield player. If you give him time like he had he is a wonderful player and he is complemented with Jake (Livermore).”

Hull are back in action tomorrow night when Southampton are the visitors to the KC Stadium.

Sone Aluko is likely to again be on the bench after coming through his 15-minute cameo with no problems.

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Match report: Page 3.