Swansea, Hull win to lift survival hopes
HULL City and Swansea City earned valuable victories in their battle for English Premier League survival, but Middlesbrough slid further towards the drop after a 4-0 hammering at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Hull’s 2-0 win over Watford and Swansea’s identical scoreline against Stoke City increased the pressure on Crystal Palace and Burnley, who are hovering above the relegation zone.
Hull had a tough task after Oumar Niasse was surprisingly shown a straight red card after 25 minutes for a challenge on M’Baye Niang.
But the Tigers took the lead just past the hour when Lazar Markovic, on loan from Liverpool, scored from close range after his header had bounced down on the goal line.
Hull made sure of the points nine minutes later when Sam Clucas found the top corner with a superb 30m shot. They have now won four consecutive home league games.
“We played with 10 players, but our boys were fantastic and they deserved it,” Hull manager Marco Silva said. “I’m really happy but we still have four games to fight. Maybe in January no one would believe in our club to survive. I don’t know what the future is.”
Spanish striker Fernando Llorente gave Swansea the lead with a trademark header from a corner in the 10th minute and the Welsh side were given a break when Marko Arnautovic missed a second-half penalty.
Swansea made sure of the win when Tom Carroll’s shot found the top corner via a deflection off Joe Allen.
“I thought it was a must-win game and Hull have won and it was absolutely right,” Swansea manager Paul Clement said.
“If the gap had gone to five points with four to play, the task would have been very difficult.
“Nothing changed between us and Hull but what has changed is we have got momentum now. We played terrific.”
Time is running out for Boro who have not won in 16 league games and they endured a nightmare opening 20 minutes in which they conceded two goals and had midfielder Gaston Ramirez sent off for a second booking.
I’m really happy but we still have four games to fight