Hull boss Silva calls for calm after Sunderland dent their survival hopes
MARCO SILVA called for calm after Hull’s survival hopes were dented by relegated Sunderland.
The Portuguese has worked wonders since his surprise January appointment at the KCOM Stadium, bringing hope to embattled City thanks largely to their superb home form.
Hull’s first home defeat under Silva came at the worst possible time as second-half goals from Billy Jones and Jermain Defoe ended rock-bottom Sunderland’s three-month wait for a win.
The 2-0 reverse handed Swansea the chance to send Hull into the drop zone, but a clearly-frustrated Silva called for his side to stay calm.
‘Of course it is not a good moment for us, but nothing finished this afternoon,’ the Tigers boss said.
‘Even if we achieved a good result today, these are my words to you. Of course it is a not a good afternoon for us but it doesn’t change nothing.
‘We need to work hard during the next week to prepare for the next game, and after the last game as well.’
While Hull boss Silva stewed, already relegated Sunderland counterpart David Moyes was able to celebrate a first win in three months.
‘I said the other week that the performances have been threatening results,’ the Scot said.
‘I think we had played well, even going back to Leicester City, Watford, Bournemouth, West Ham - I think we had played well in the games and didn’t take anything from it, we didn’t score. We played well enough in the games but I thought today we had another similar performance to what we had recently.
‘I think the result was coming and it was too late to help us with relegation, but I think the performance was good,’ added the former Manchester United boss.
Moyes hopes a result like this can help build momentum ahead of life in the Championship – a campaign Sunderland may face without fans’ favourite Jordan Pickford.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper produced his latest outstanding display at the KCOM Stadium to a backdrop of reports that Everton are increasingly confident of tying up a £17million deal for him.
‘He is under contract by us so that’s the big thing,’ Moyes said, before likening Pickford to a young Joe Hart.