premier league
LAZAR MARKOVIC and Sam Clucas struck second-half goals as 10-man Hull kept their survival hopes alive with a gutsy home win over Watford.
The Tigers overcame the first-half dismissal of striker Oumar Niasse to score two brilliant goals in the space of nine minutes after the hour to stay two points clear of the relegation zone with four games left.
Hull’s bid for survival had been dealt a blow when referee Robert Madley showed Niasse a harsh straight red card in the 25th minute, but they fought back to take a sixth win in seven home league games under head coach Marco Silva.
Silva’s side made their usual jittery start, but settled after early Watford pressure and created their first opening in the 15th minute when Clucas fired over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.
Watford, all but safe on 40 points, were well organised, but showed little intent to take the game to their hosts and the pattern appeared set, with Hull probing patiently in search of an early breakthrough.
But all that was turned on its head in the 25th minute when, to the disbelief of the home crowd, referee Madley produced a straight red card for dangerous play after Niasse’s challenge on Watford’s M’Baye Niang.
Niasse appeared to catch Niang on the shin as they challenged for the ball, but replays showed there had been no studs used and Madley’s decision looked harsh.
Watford took full advantage, stepping on to the front foot to threaten on several occasions before the break as Hull’s Eldin Jakupovic and his defence kept the Hornets out.
Hull survived, further aggrieved after appeals for a foul on Kamil Grosicki in the penalty area had fallen on deaf ears, and Madley, surrounded by stewards, left the field to raucous boos at half-time.
Hull head coach Silva replaced midfielder Evandro with striker Abel Hernandez during the interval and it became apparent his side would look to hit Watford on the break as they swept forward in style to lead in the 62nd minute.
Grosicki was set free down the right and after his fine cross had been headed against the crossbar and down on to the goalline by Markovic, the latter followed up to shoot home the rebound.
The KCOM erupted and the home fans had barely caught their breath when Clucas smashed home Hull’s second goal nine minutes later to secure another crucial victory.