Clement’s joy at survival

eight home games to give Hull hope, a calamitous defeat to Sunderland last week, coupled with Swansea’s revival, left them needing a win yesterday to survive.

Instead, a diabolical defensive performance handed safety to Palace and sent Hull down after one season.

Silva emphatically refused to say whether he would be staying. “It’s not a good day for us, it’s a sad day for the club and our fans. They didn’t deserve what has happened this season. Now we have to analyse it. I will give the board and the chairman my opinion about what they need to do differently.”

Silva’s despair contrasted with the jubilation of Swansea head coach Paul Clement, who said: “I am very proud of what we have achieved in the second half of the season.”

Clement, who became Swansea’s third full-time manager of the campaign in January, said: “When you put into context where we were when I arrived – bottom of the table with just 12 points from 19 games – it’s been a collective effort from everyone at the club.

“Congratulations to the players, back-room staff, club staff and our supporters for their help in getting us over the line. I thought it would go to the last game of the season.

“But credit to the players for showing the form they have over the last four games. They deserve to be where they are – in the Premier League again.’’