Hodgson defends travelling fans who gave Bullard hard time

Bullard opted to leave Craven Cottage in January 2009 for a longer-term contract at Hull, who paid 5m for his services.

The 31-year-old's time on Humberside has been marred by two serious knee injuries but he recovered in time for the Premier League run-in as Hull look to preserve their top-flight status. And Bullard silenced the jeers of the visiting fans with an early penalty before Craig Fagan sealed victory three minutes into the second half.

Hodgson said: "You've got to remember the Fulham fans loved Jimmy Bullard and they weren't very happy when he refused to sign a new contract with Fulham and went to Hull for an awful lot more money so I don't think I can really criticise them.

"Jimmy knew what he was doing. I don't think he came up here to better his football, he came up here because there was a lot more money on offer, and that's what our fans choose to remind him of from time to time. I don't expect Fulham fans to be anything other than disappointed in him.

"But Jimmy had the last laugh because he scored the penalty that got his team the victory so I don't think he'll be losing any sleep over it."