Hull of a tight spot for Tigers

Manager Bruce can’t expect any favours in bid to avoid dreaded drop

HULL City manager Steve Bruce is desperate for a favour in the fight for Premier League survival, but friend and West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce may not be the man to offer it in the final round of matches tomorrow.

Hull are in 18th place with 34 points and not only have to beat Manchester United, having lost all their seven games to them in the Premier League, but must also hope 17th-placed Newcastle United fail to defeat West Ham.

Newcastle, who have 36 points, have picked up just one point in 10 matches but welcome a West Ham side to St James’ Park who have been given most of the week off training by boss Allardyce.

“I speak to him (Allardyce) most weeks but not this one,” Bruce said yesterday.

“It is Sam’s prerogative (giving his players time off); it can work for you and against you.

“What he does with his team is his business. I know it is the same for whoever they play that he wants to win the game.

“No game is ever a certainty in this league.”

Hull ended 16th last year after promotion from the Championship and they also reached the FA Cup final, where they lost in extra time to Arsenal.

But Bruce believes his side have suffered from “second-season syndrome” and their cause was not helped last week when midfielder Jake Liver more tested positive for cocaine.

“It’s gone down to the wire. We are up against it but we still have a chance and have to believe we have a chance,” Bruce said.

“First of all, we have to beat Manchester United, which is never easy. But there have been some strange results this season and we hope we can pull it off and get a favour from elsewhere.

“We didn’t expect to be in this position but we are. Let’s hope there is one final twist because not a lot has gone our way over the past couple of months.”

Meanwhile, José Mourinho will receive a third Premier League winners’ medal tomorrow but the Chelsea manager is not feeling so charitable this time, meaning no surprise souvenir for a lucky fan at Stamford Bridge.

After claiming a second English title in 2006 after a 3-0 win against Man United, Mourinho launched his medal and blazer into the crowd.

Chelsea host Sunderland in their final game of the season tomorrow when they will be presented with the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2010.

“My son now is collecting all my stuff,” the Portuguese said yesterday.

“He keeps everything. At that time (2006) he was too young, but in this moment he is collecting everything – shirts, medals; he steals everything from me.”

Mourinho was named Premiership Manager of the Season for the third time after triumphs in 2005 and 2006.

“I was not waiting for it, I was never Manager of the Month, but I’m happy with it,” he said.

“It’s a club trophy, not an individual one. It’s for me, my assistants, my players, everybody who works with me. It’s something you don’t just get by yourself.

“It’s the icing on the cake but I work for the cake. The Premier League (title) is the real cake but obviously to be the Manager of the Season is nice.”

Forward Eden Hazard, who has played in all 37 of Chelsea’s league games, is unlikely to play against Sunderland after undergoing emergency dental surgery on Wednesday to have three wisdom teeth removed.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is struggling with a muscle injury but Mourinho said the 33year-old, who could leave at the end of the season after being used as back-up to Thibaut Courtois, will play some part.

Young defender Andreas Christensen and 18-year-old attacking midfielder Jeremie Boga will be given a taste of first-team action.