Hull put their shirts on Niasse’s goals to lift them out of relegation battle
OUMAR NIASSE could not even get a shirt at Everton eight months ago — but Hull fans will be buying ones with his name on if his goals get them clear of the relegation zone.
The on-loan Senegal striker came off the bench to strike twice as Hull moved within a point of safety.
Swansea remain deep in trouble, their only consolation coming from an Alfie Mawson header in added time.
Hull are now unbeaten at home in seven games and will travel to Everton next week. Niasse will be unavailable against his parent club but, having also scored in the 2-0 win over Liverpool last month, he is sure to be a focal figure in Hull’s remaining fixtures at the KCOM Stadium.
Given his composed finishing, that will be a source of succour to Marco Silva. However, Hull’s coach was left incredulous about the state of the surface on which they will hope to plot further victories.
It was showing significant effects of Hull FC’s Super League win over St Helens on Friday evening, opening up a debate over the merits of dual-use stadia, with
the penalty areas in particular severely rutted.
‘On Friday they play rugby, the next day we play at home,’ said Silva. ‘For me it’s impossible in this level. I’ve said this to our board. Swansea and then other teams come with good organisation. We need to run fast, play fast, put intensity in the game, but with this pitch it’s very difficult. It’s not easy to play on it and the club needs to make something different.’
Of Niasse, he added: ‘He feels as well that we believe in him which is important.’
The opening goal six minutes after he replaced Alfred N’Diaye was reminiscent of his breakaway against Liverpool: a one-two with Abel Hernandez stroked under the advancing Lukasz Fabianski. The second was thrashed on the volley under the Polish goalkeeper after another sub Ahmed Elmohamady’s centre bypassed Hernandez.
Swansea, who had won five of their previous eight league games under Paul Clement, were beset by ill luck with Angel Rangel (foot) and Fernando Llorente (dead leg) both forced off before the interval. Wayne Routledge also missed glorious chances at the start of each half with the game goalless.
Clement was also critical of the playing surface and of his side who ‘pushed too late’ in a bid to get back into the game. ‘But credit to Hull because there was pressure on them and they delivered,’ he said.