Pearson always had faith in Hull star Bullard

Bullard, expected to be sold during the close season as Hull looked to offload their highest wage earner, was instrumental in a win that sent Derby into the bottom three thanks to goals from Daniel Ayala and Robert Koren.

Pearson said: "There's been an awful lot said about him and it's important he's judged on his performances. I think he played his part in a good performance.

"At no point was he written off. He's a player who has played in the Premier League.

"The bottom line is that, whatever the sub-plots are, ultimately he's a man who enjoys playing football and my job as manager is to pick a side that can win football matches."

Hull took the lead just before the break when Ayala bundled home Tom Cairney's cross from the right wing to score on his home debut after joining on loan from Liverpool.

Derby offered little in attack despite the presence of Shefki Kuqi, who signed on loan from Swansea on Monday.

Hull deservedly secured the points eight minutes from time when Koren drilled home the rebound after Stephen Bywater had parried Jay Simpson's angled shot.

Pearson added: "That was needed after Saturday, which was a missed opportunity. So far we've got seven points at home and none away, so home form has been important.

"It's a very valuable win for us, but we have to improve our away form.

"We need to find a way of unlocking the minds so we play like that away from home, and there's no reason why we can't do that.

"In the last two games we've had a bit more of a solid foundation and it's great to get the win, but clearly there's still quite a lot of work to be done