Fulham 0 Hull City 1: It's not all about playing nice football, says Steve Bruce

Hull City went top of the Championship on Saturday.

A penalty from Abel Hernandez proved the difference between the sides, with the hosts still looking for their first win under new head coach Slavisa Jokanovic.

Bruce felt that his side were well equipped to deal with contests such as the one at Craven Cottage.

“It was satisfying, and I think it shows you how difficult the league is when I see Fulham in 19th position and see them like they were (against Hull),” he said.

“You have to show a certain resilience, especially in the middle of winter coming to places like this. Fulham played well, but we were always comfortable.

“The ability to roll up your sleeves and give nothing away and show that resilience is what you need to be successful. It’s not all about playing nice football.”

Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan was called into action after 12 minutes when he was able to get a hand to a shot from Hernandez.

Moses Odubajo deflected a clearance off Alex Kacaniklic on 38, after Hull’s Allan McGregor saved from Tom Cairney.

The visitors got their breakthrough with 10 minutes left after Odubajo found his heels clipped by Lasse Vigen Christensen in the area.

Fulham were still in it and McGregor was forced into an excellent fingertip save in stoppage time from a 30-yard free-kick from Jamie O’Hara.

Fulham: Lonergan, Richards, Burn, Ream, Garbutt, Kacaniklic (Williams 73), Parker (Hyndman 77), O’Hara, Christensen (Smith 83), Cairney, Dembele. Unused substitutes: Hutchinson, Stearman, Fredericks, Lewis.

Hull City: McGregor, Odubajo, Maguire, Davies, Robertson, Snodgrass (Bruce 90), Livermore, Hayden (Huddlestone 71), Clucas, Diame, Hernandez (Elmohamady 86). Unused substitutes: Taylor, Maloney, Jakupovic, Aluko.

Referee: P Tierney (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Abel Hernandez.