Hull City boss Phil Brown was proud of his players after their 3-0 defeat at Arsenal.

Goals from Denilson's sublime free-kick, Eduardo and Abou Diaby moved Arsenal back into third place in the Barclays Premier League.

Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia also deserved much credit when he saved Geovanni's second-half penalty with the home side 1-0 in front.

Brown said: "We asked for a good performance for our lads and we got that. You hope to catch Arsenal on an off day and we didn't get that - they played very well. And you want the referee to get the major decisions right and we didn't get that either.

"I have got genuine players. They are solidly behind the campaign at Hull. Richard Garcia is an honest lad. If Nasri gets booked, why did he get booked? I need to know that one.

"If it is an off-the-ball incident, having given a free-kick, I cannot see any reason for him going and stamping on Richard. He doesn't go down easily. He is a proper man.

"The key factors of the game where the free-kick just before half-time. It is a free shot at our goal and it ends up in the net and changes the whole complexity of the game.

"The referee saw a tug of the shirt for the penalty. Silvestre pulled Craig Fagan's shirt. We missed the penalty and they go up and score a second and in effect it is game over. But we did not give in and I was quite proud of the performance."

Brown was also surprised by the departure of Mark Hughes at Manchester City.

"It just shows how amazing the Premier League is," said Brown. "To have a mouthwatering Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United, I thought, would have kept Mark certainly in the job as long as he needs to be.

"They have only been beaten twice this season but obviously the owners have decided on a change of plan."