Crouching Tigers unleash dragon NEW BOSS NIGEL KICKS OFF WITH WIN
Possession 40% 60% Shots On Target 8 5 Shots Off Target 2 3 Blocked Shots 3 2 Corners 9 5 Fouls Conceded 18 9 Offsides 1 0 Yellow Cards 3 2 Red Cards 0 0 REFEREE: NEW Hull boss Nigel Adkins admitted he “loved it” after seeing his side come from behind to win his first match in charge.
Adkins took over on Thursday following the exit of Leonid Slutsky, whose six-month stint ended by mutual consent after just four victories.
He inherited a side hovering above the drop zone after seven games without a win brought just three points.
It looked as though their defensive woes would continue when they conceded a farcical goal – David Meyler putting into his own net after half-time.
But Kamil Grosicki levelled with a thunderous strike before Seb Larsson and Jackson Irvine struck with two goals in five minutes to give the Tigers a two-goal cushion.
John Egan headed home for the Bees late on and, with eight minutes of stoppage time, the Tigers had a nervy ride but held on for their first win since September 30.
It lifted them to 18th, six points above danger, and Adkins said: “I loved it. I’ve not been in the dugout for 18 months so it was good.
“The players were top drawer: obviously results haven’t been going as well as we would like but the players have shown great character and spirit. It is a great start.”
The game came alive when Daniel Bentley pushed Fraizer Campbell’s turn and shot over before the Bees keeper clawed away Michael Dawson’s header from the corner.
Brentford broke with Sergi Canos unleashing a low shot which Allan McGregor saved with his legs. Brentford went ahead when a comedy of errors saw Ollie Watkins’ low cross come off the outstretched boot of Meyler.
Grosicki levelled when he unleashed a 25-yard strike across Bentley and into the bottom corner before Larsson curled a 30-yard free-kick inside Bentley’s right post.
Campbell hit the woodwork before Irvine ran on to Jon Toral’s throughball and slotted home.
Egan reduced the deficit but Hull held on.
Brentford have now dropped 21 points from winning positions this season and Dean Smith bemoaned his side’s frailty.
He said: “It’s about sticking to what we do best, passing and moving the ball. We didn’t do that.
“This was an opportunity to get three points, then we pressed the selfdestruct button.”