Hemed’s early goal sends Brighton four points clear
turn it in at the back post. Hull’s latest shirt sponsor is Flamingo Land and in the opening minutes it seemed that the theme park’s eponymous occupants had lined up in City’s defence instead of Clucas, Dawson and Curtis Davies.
Hemed had a glorious chance to double the lead two minutes later when unmarked, but made poor contact with Rosenior’s passed cross.
Rosenior and Bruno combined again inside the first ten minutes, but a dangerous back-post cross was bundled wide.
Slowly, however, the hosepipe’s flow slowed and Hull became a more equal participant in the game, especially once Tom Huddlestone replaced David Meyler on 31 minutes and Diame stayed wider after half-time.
In the second half Hull enjoyed greater possession, but never threatened to become the first away side to score at Brighton this season with Gordon Greer and Uwe Hunemeier peerless in central defence.
Bruce said: “We dominated possession in the second half, but we need to create a chance or a couple of chances.We huffed and puffed.
“It took us at least half an hour to get going and Brighton could have maybe scored again. I thought they were excellent. After that they defended well and we found it very, very difficult.
“We’re going to come up against teams that have something to defend. The longer the game went on the better we adapted to it, but we couldn’t create that chance.
“We’ve been a little bit too up and down away from home so far. We shouldn’t have lost at Charlton or here, but that’s this league and we have to get used to it. At home we’ve been impressive, but away we’ve got a bit to do.”