Bruce is sure Hull can escape drop

STEVE BRUCE is adamant he can keep Hull City in the Barclays Premier League after defeat to Southampton left them battling to stay up.

Hull were the better side against Southampton for the first 45 minutes but a James Ward-Prowse penalty and late strike from Graziano Pelle meant they left with nothing.

They now have six games to save their season including nightmare fixtures against Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United.

But Bruce insisted: ‘Everyone is up for the challenge and I’m sure and convinced that we’ll do it. If we keep remaining positive I’m convinced we can take a couple of results which will take us over the line.

‘I’ve always had something in my water that this season would be the most difficult because all of a sudden you’ve created an expectation and we haven’t been able to live up to it, but I’m still convinced we’ll get out of trouble.’

SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): K Davis 6.5; Alderweireld 6, Jose Fonte 6, Yoshida 6, Bertrand 6.5; Wanyama 5.5 (Ward-Prowse 46min, 7), Schneiderlin 6.5; Long 7 (Elia 74, 6), S Davis 6, Mané 6 (Tadic 61, 6); Pellè 7.5.

Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Clyne, Reed, Targett. Scorers: Ward-Prowse 56(pen), Pelle 81.

Booked: Pelle, Wanyama. HULL (4-4-2): Harper 6; Chester 6 (Diame 64, 6), Dawson 5, Bruce 4.5, McShane 5; Elmohamady 5, Livermore 5.5, Huddlestone 5 (Sagbo 74, 5.5), Quinn 5; Aluko 6 (Hernández 84), N’Doye 5. Subs not used: McGregor, Rosenior, Brady, Robertson.

Man of the match: Graziano Pelle.

Referee: Kevin Friend 7.